Just three days after Michigan State hockey was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in devastating fashion, the Spartans have already lost two star players to the NHL.
The first was Porter Martone who signed an entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers and he’s supposed to be joining them on Tuesday for their game against the Washington Capitals. The second was Trey Augustine who made the decision to sign with the Red Wings on Tuesday afternoon.
Both have already been drafted and the Red Wings had rights to Augustine who surprised everyone for the past two years by deciding to return to East Lansing.
With just one year of eligibility remaining after being drafted 41st overall by Detroit in 2023, Augustine made the decision to join the Wings’ organization and forgo his senior season. It was an expected move, but it stings nonetheless. Augustine was one of the best college hockey players for the past three seasons and he was a two-time goalie of the year.
And even though Michigan State lost to Wisconsin, he made the all-region team in the NCAA Tournament — kind of wild for a goalie who lost in the quarterfinals.
Losing a guy who won the Spartans three straight Big Ten titles is going to hurt regardless of how expected the move was.
Augustine will be joining the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids for the rest of the year before his three-year entry level contract kicks in next year, according to Connor Earegood.
Who replaces Trey Augustine for Michigan State?
Fortunately for Michigan State, Adam Nightingale is one of the best recruiters in NCAA hockey and he was already prepared for Augustine’s departure.
Michigan State has sophomore Melvin Strahl from Sweden ready to take the reins from Augustine after playing in four games this season with a save percentage of .922. For comparison, Augustine’s save percentage this season was .929, per hockeydb.com. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
If, for some reason, Nightingale doesn’t go with experience, he could opt to go with Joshua Ravensbergen who will be a freshman in 2026-27. Ravensbergen is one of the top prospects in his class and was a first-round pick by the San Jose Sharks in 2025.
Between those two, I don’t think Michigan State can go wrong. The Spartans will be replacing an NHL draft pick and two-time goalie of the year with two NHL draft picks — a good problem to have.
