Armed with five first-round NHL picks, Michigan State’s elite roster dominates national rankings as these blue-chip prospects aim to secure a historic fourth consecutive Big Ten championship.
It’s going to be a crazy hockey season in East Lansing this year.
The Spartans are vying for their fourth consecutive Big Ten title, and they’ll be doing so with a roster constructed with some of the top young talent college hockey has to offer.
With the influx of top-tier talent funneling into college hockey, it’s no surprise that teams are stacking their rosters with NHL Draft picks. The Spartans are leading the way in that department, entering the season with five first-round draft picks as well as the first pick of the second round.
One of those players, Nikita Klepov, was among those draft picks but was the only one to immediately accept a contract to play in the minors, forgoing his opportunity to suit up for the Spartans.
The rest of the group remains in East Lansing and enters the season as part of a talented collection of players ranked among the top 150 prospects under the age of 23.
Scott Wheeler, a national reporter for The Athletic, recently released his annual top 150 prospects under 23, dividing the players into five tiers based on their projected NHL potential.
Two former Spartans made the list in Porter Martone and Trey Augustine. However, looking ahead to this season, six current Michigan State players also landed on Wheeler’s rankings.
Here’s a look at where the current Spartans landed.
Leading the Pack
- Chase Reid — Tier 3 (All-Star Player)
- Joshua Ravensbergen — Tier 3 (All-Star Player)
It’s no surprise that Reid and Ravensbergen lead the team in projected potential.
Reid, who was selected seventh overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, highlights just how highly regarded he is entering his college career. The best American-born defenseman in this year’s draft had to wait a little longer than expected before hearing his name called, but that could only add fuel to the fire.
Now, Reid enters East Lansing with enormous expectations. He is expected to immediately become a leader on the blue line and could find himself occupying a top defensive pairing from the start.
Ravensbergen, meanwhile, was selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft and now takes over in the crease for Augustine.
Augustine spent three seasons with the Spartans and helped capture a Big Ten title in each and every one of them. Now, Ravensbergen steps into the starting role, and while the expectations are massive, so is the potential.
With a young defense in front of him, the lights will be bright in East Lansing. If Wheeler’s ranking is any indication, Ravensbergen has the talent to shine even brighter.
Next Up
- Ethan Belchetz — Tier 4 (Starter)
The next powerhouse on the list is Ethan Belchetz, a big-bodied forward who combines impressive size with the ability to move around the ice and handle the puck.
Fans who enjoyed watching Martone should have plenty to look forward to with Belchetz.
His size and frame give him an immediate advantage, but it’s his skill that makes him such an intriguing prospect. The expectations are high for Belchetz, and Michigan State will be hoping he can make an immediate impact.
The Rest
- Tommy Bleyl — Tier 5 (Support)
- Ryker Lee — Tier 5 (Support)
- Cullen Potter — Tier 5 (Support)
Bleyl is an incoming freshman who could pair with Reid on the Spartans’ blue line. The two young defensemen come to East Lansing with plenty of expectations, and Bleyl appears more excited than ever to begin his college career.
He has already developed a cult following among Nashville Predators fans and could quickly build a following of his own in East Lansing.
Then there’s the magician with the puck, Ryker Lee.
Lee returns to East Lansing looking to take another step forward and potentially lead the Spartans in scoring and offensive production. He was still finding his rhythm last season, but the explosiveness and elite puck-handling ability were evident.
If Lee can put everything together, he could become one of the most dangerous offensive weapons on the roster.
Finally, Cullen Potter rounds out the six current Spartans who landed on Wheeler’s list.
Potter transferred to Michigan State from Arizona State and was arguably the biggest transfer portal addition for head coach Adam Nightingale and the Spartans this offseason. He brings valuable college experience to a roster filled with young talent.
That experience could prove extremely valuable as Michigan State attempts to navigate another demanding season.
With six current players appearing on Wheeler’s top 150 list, it’s clear that Michigan State isn’t just building for the present.
The Spartans are building for the future, too.
And with a fourth consecutive Big Ten championship firmly in their sights, the future could arrive much sooner than expected.
