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The Spartans are going to be littered all over the first round of the Upper Deck NHL Draft that kicked off Friday night.
After the first future Spartan was selected seventh overall, Chase Reid, it didn’t take much longer for the NHL to call the second Spartan's name. Nikita Klepov was selected with the No. 15 overall pick after the Anaheim Ducks traded with the St. Louis Blues, who entered the night with four first-round selections. Anaheim clearly had its sights set on Klepov and made the move to ensure they landed him.
A Russian-born player with dual citizenship after being born in Miami, Klepov spent most of his childhood developing his game in Russia.
Klepov is a fantastic offensive talent with tremendous upside. While he is widely viewed as a project, he is also considered the type of prospect who could develop into one of the league's most dynamic skaters and shooters if everything comes together.
The Ducks certainly believe in that potential, making Klepov the 15th overall selection.
During the 2024-25 season, Klepov played for the Sioux City Musketeers, appearing in 59 games while scoring 12 goals and adding 19 assists for 31 total points. He also finished with a +5 rating and chipped in one goal and one assist during five playoff games.
Klepov truly showcased his offensive abilities after making the jump to the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit during the 2025-26 season. He played in 67 games and absolutely lit up the league. It seemed like magic started happening anytime Klepov touched the puck. Whether he was driving the play himself or creating opportunities away from the puck, your eyes naturally followed him every time he stepped onto the ice.
He scored 25 more goals than he did with Sioux City, finishing with 37 goals while adding an impressive 60 assists for a remarkable 97-point season. He also finished with a +9 rating and added another goal along with four assists in four playoff games.
Klepov also showed a willingness to play with an edge when the situation called for it. He wasn't afraid to get rough and stand up for himself or his teammates, finishing with 43 penalty minutes—more than double his total from the previous season.
Now, Klepov will head to East Lansing to help Adam Nightingale and the Michigan State Spartans compete for their fourth consecutive Big Ten championship while also trying to lead the program back to the Frozen Four for the first time since 2008.
After making his mark in East Lansing, however many years that may be, Klepov will then be ready to begin his NHL career with the Ducks.
The smooth-skating, quick-shooting Russian forward will quickly win over fans no matter where he plays. Every time the puck finds his stick, something exciting seems ready to happen.
Michigan State is shaping up to have one of the most skilled teams in college hockey. Watching Ryker Lee and Nikita Klepov handle the puck together may look like watching the Harlem Globetrotters on ice, except they'll be doing it while wearing the Green and White.
Klepov should make an immediate impact in East Lansing. His combination of elite skill, offensive creativity, and physical play should allow him to fit seamlessly into Adam Nightingale's system before eventually making the jump to Anaheim.
Michigan State still has more incoming players waiting to hear their names called during the NHL Draft, but the Spartans have already produced two first-round selections.
The Ducks may have drafted a player viewed as a project, but with a little elbow grease and development under Adam Nightingale, that project could eventually become one of the NHL's premier forwards.
Continue reading...
After the first future Spartan was selected seventh overall, Chase Reid, it didn’t take much longer for the NHL to call the second Spartan's name. Nikita Klepov was selected with the No. 15 overall pick after the Anaheim Ducks traded with the St. Louis Blues, who entered the night with four first-round selections. Anaheim clearly had its sights set on Klepov and made the move to ensure they landed him.
A Russian-born player with dual citizenship after being born in Miami, Klepov spent most of his childhood developing his game in Russia.
Klepov is a fantastic offensive talent with tremendous upside. While he is widely viewed as a project, he is also considered the type of prospect who could develop into one of the league's most dynamic skaters and shooters if everything comes together.
The Ducks certainly believe in that potential, making Klepov the 15th overall selection.
During the 2024-25 season, Klepov played for the Sioux City Musketeers, appearing in 59 games while scoring 12 goals and adding 19 assists for 31 total points. He also finished with a +5 rating and chipped in one goal and one assist during five playoff games.
Klepov truly showcased his offensive abilities after making the jump to the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit during the 2025-26 season. He played in 67 games and absolutely lit up the league. It seemed like magic started happening anytime Klepov touched the puck. Whether he was driving the play himself or creating opportunities away from the puck, your eyes naturally followed him every time he stepped onto the ice.
He scored 25 more goals than he did with Sioux City, finishing with 37 goals while adding an impressive 60 assists for a remarkable 97-point season. He also finished with a +9 rating and added another goal along with four assists in four playoff games.
Klepov also showed a willingness to play with an edge when the situation called for it. He wasn't afraid to get rough and stand up for himself or his teammates, finishing with 43 penalty minutes—more than double his total from the previous season.
Now, Klepov will head to East Lansing to help Adam Nightingale and the Michigan State Spartans compete for their fourth consecutive Big Ten championship while also trying to lead the program back to the Frozen Four for the first time since 2008.
After making his mark in East Lansing, however many years that may be, Klepov will then be ready to begin his NHL career with the Ducks.
The smooth-skating, quick-shooting Russian forward will quickly win over fans no matter where he plays. Every time the puck finds his stick, something exciting seems ready to happen.
Michigan State is shaping up to have one of the most skilled teams in college hockey. Watching Ryker Lee and Nikita Klepov handle the puck together may look like watching the Harlem Globetrotters on ice, except they'll be doing it while wearing the Green and White.
Klepov should make an immediate impact in East Lansing. His combination of elite skill, offensive creativity, and physical play should allow him to fit seamlessly into Adam Nightingale's system before eventually making the jump to Anaheim.
Michigan State still has more incoming players waiting to hear their names called during the NHL Draft, but the Spartans have already produced two first-round selections.
The Ducks may have drafted a player viewed as a project, but with a little elbow grease and development under Adam Nightingale, that project could eventually become one of the NHL's premier forwards.
Continue reading...
