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Crowds gather around beaches and picnic tables, singing "All Summer Long" at the top of their lungs. Families battle waves in the Great Lakes or cruise on pontoons scattered across the northern lakes. People soak up the early summer sun, working on their tans while trying to fend off the heat.
Yet in the country north of the United States, hockey doesn't care if it's July or December. In Canada, it's always hockey season.
It was recently announced that incoming Michigan State Spartan Joshua Ravensbergen has been nominated for the Canadian Hockey League's Goaltender of the Year award.
As the Spartans begin life without the one constant between the pipes over the last three seasons, Trey Augustine, it's no secret that questions surround the team regarding how the highly touted freshman will fare in net for the Green and White.
Ravensbergen will not be tasked with filling the shoes of the back-to-back Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and reigning Mike Richter Award winner as the nation's top goaltender. Instead, he will be asked to be himself, learn, develop, and continue the path that has already made him one of hockey's most promising young netminders.
Fortunately for the young star, he will have one of the best coaches in college hockey guiding him. Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale has already demonstrated his ability to develop elite goaltending talent, as evidenced by Augustine's success. Under Nightingale's leadership, the Spartans are two-time defending Big Ten regular-season champions, although they have fallen unexpectedly short in postseason play over the last three years.
Ravensbergen has already built an impressive résumé before arriving in East Lansing. He captured the WHL's Goaltender of the Year award, known as the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy, after posting a 32-13 record, leading all WHL goaltenders in victories during the season. He also finished with a league-best .919 save percentage.
The other finalists for the Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year award are Rudy Guimond of the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) and Ryder Fetterolf of the Ottawa 67's (OHL).
Michigan State secured Ravensbergen's commitment and now eagerly awaits the opportunity to showcase its prized newcomer. Nightingale will look to continue molding the talented goaltender before he eventually makes the jump to the NHL. The San Jose Sharks selected Ravensbergen with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, making him one of the most highly regarded incoming players in college hockey.
Spartan fans have grown accustomed to seeing their goaltenders collect awards, so another decorated netminder arriving in East Lansing may not seem unusual. However, this shouldn't be viewed with a "been there, done that" mentality. Ravensbergen has the talent and potential to become even better than Augustine, which would represent an ideal transition for Michigan State.
After Augustine proved his value and signed with the Detroit Red Wings following his junior season and a pair of Big Ten Goaltender of the Year honors, the Spartans found themselves at a crossroads regarding their future in net. The commitment from Ravensbergen quickly erased many of those concerns and immediately positioned Michigan State to remain among the nation's elite programs.
The Big Ten is known for its high level of hockey and will do everything possible to test Ravensbergen during his freshman campaign. But after earning a nomination as one of Canada's top goaltenders, it appears there may not be a stage too large or lights too bright for Michigan State's next star between the pipes.
Continue reading...
Yet in the country north of the United States, hockey doesn't care if it's July or December. In Canada, it's always hockey season.
It was recently announced that incoming Michigan State Spartan Joshua Ravensbergen has been nominated for the Canadian Hockey League's Goaltender of the Year award.
As the Spartans begin life without the one constant between the pipes over the last three seasons, Trey Augustine, it's no secret that questions surround the team regarding how the highly touted freshman will fare in net for the Green and White.
Ravensbergen will not be tasked with filling the shoes of the back-to-back Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and reigning Mike Richter Award winner as the nation's top goaltender. Instead, he will be asked to be himself, learn, develop, and continue the path that has already made him one of hockey's most promising young netminders.
Fortunately for the young star, he will have one of the best coaches in college hockey guiding him. Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale has already demonstrated his ability to develop elite goaltending talent, as evidenced by Augustine's success. Under Nightingale's leadership, the Spartans are two-time defending Big Ten regular-season champions, although they have fallen unexpectedly short in postseason play over the last three years.
Ravensbergen has already built an impressive résumé before arriving in East Lansing. He captured the WHL's Goaltender of the Year award, known as the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy, after posting a 32-13 record, leading all WHL goaltenders in victories during the season. He also finished with a league-best .919 save percentage.
The other finalists for the Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year award are Rudy Guimond of the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) and Ryder Fetterolf of the Ottawa 67's (OHL).
Michigan State secured Ravensbergen's commitment and now eagerly awaits the opportunity to showcase its prized newcomer. Nightingale will look to continue molding the talented goaltender before he eventually makes the jump to the NHL. The San Jose Sharks selected Ravensbergen with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, making him one of the most highly regarded incoming players in college hockey.
Spartan fans have grown accustomed to seeing their goaltenders collect awards, so another decorated netminder arriving in East Lansing may not seem unusual. However, this shouldn't be viewed with a "been there, done that" mentality. Ravensbergen has the talent and potential to become even better than Augustine, which would represent an ideal transition for Michigan State.
After Augustine proved his value and signed with the Detroit Red Wings following his junior season and a pair of Big Ten Goaltender of the Year honors, the Spartans found themselves at a crossroads regarding their future in net. The commitment from Ravensbergen quickly erased many of those concerns and immediately positioned Michigan State to remain among the nation's elite programs.
The Big Ten is known for its high level of hockey and will do everything possible to test Ravensbergen during his freshman campaign. But after earning a nomination as one of Canada's top goaltenders, it appears there may not be a stage too large or lights too bright for Michigan State's next star between the pipes.
Continue reading...
