Spartans in the NHL – Syndication Server

Tampa Bay Lightning GM raves about Isaac Howard

Isaac Howard has the full attention of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Isaac Howard is in the running to win the Hobey Baker Award, the college hockey equivalent to the Heisman or Naismith Award. With Howard’s second year in the green and white being so outstanding, he is starting to get the attention of Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julian BriseBois.

Howard was the first round pick of the Lightning in 2022, and is slowly developing his play, and his body, into getting a crack at the National Hockey League.

See what BriseBois’s exact quote said by clicking here

Howard will have one more year of collegiate eligibility before having to make a jump to the professional ranks.

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Mason Appleton activated off of IR

Mason Appleton returns to Winnipeg, activated off of IR

Michigan State hockey has seen a ton of success in recent memory, but prior to that, there has been a ton of Spartans that have made their way to the NHL. Mason Appleton is one former Spartan that fits the bill.

Having a successful career with the Winnipeg Jets, in his seventh season, Appleton had to spend some time on injured reserve, but now, he has returned.

Appleton will be back in the Jets lineup for their big time matchup against the Colorado Avalanche.

Former Spartan placed on injured reserve

A former Spartan has been placed on IR with a week to week injury

Mason Appleton has carved himself a nice career in the National Hockey League after spending two years in East Lansing. A member of the Winnipeg Jets for seven seasons, and a quick half season stretch with the Seattle Kraken, Appleton is having a very nice year for the league leading Jets.

Unfortunately, Appleton will not be seeing the ice anytime soon, after he was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. The lower body injury is considered to be week to week.

He has 6 goals and 9 assists to go along with a +8 rating in 2024-25.

Former Spartan involved in NHL trade

A Spartan is being moved in a trade between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres

Michigan State hockey alum and Dearborn (MI) native, Jagger Joshua had a successful run in East Lansing, and now is carving out a nice professional career in the AHL for himself.

After playing three seasons with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he was involved in a trade between NHL affiliates Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres, sending him to the Rochester Americans.

Chicago Blackhawks activate former MSU hockey defenseman

Arty Levshunov’s career with the Chicago Blackhawks is beginning:

Michigan State hockey has been on an absolute heater with how well they have played under Adam Nightingale. The success of the Spartans all culminated in a Big Ten championship season in 2023-24, with a return to the NCAA Tournament.

A big part of the MSU success this past season was defenseman Arty Levshunov, who went as the No. 2 overall pick in the NHL draft to the Chicago Blackhawks. Now, his career with the organization is going to begin, being activated and sent to the AHL’s Rockford Ice Hounds:

We have activated Artyom Levshunov and assigned him to the @goicehogs

https://t.co/TBJZ1iGC3f pic.twitter.com/2l96XxMynm

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 22, 2024

Jeremy Davidson gets first professional contract

Jeremy Davidson has signed his first professional contract

Michigan State hockey has seen a resurgence under new head coach Adam Nightingale. While the new head coach has done wonders for the program, it was some of his inherited players that helped build the culture that he wanted to establish.

One of those veteran leaders was Jeremy Davidson, a UMass transfer that came in during Danton Cole’s final year and stuck it out with Nightingale, being a pivotal player for the program.

Now, Davidson got his first professional contract, getting signed by the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.

Welcome to the Lowcountry, JD!

We have signed forward Jeremy Davidson for the 2024-25 season!

https://t.co/MbKFwCi59X pic.twitter.com/GyKdt41ddx

— SC Stingrays (@SCStingrays) July 30, 2024

According to a report, Michigan State hockey star defenseman won’t be back in 2024-25

MSU star defenseman may be turning pro, rather than coming back to East Lansing:

Michigan State hockey got a huge win in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft when star defenseman Artyom Levshunov was picked second overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. The high selection showed that the Spartans development program is at its best right now under Adam Nightingale.

Now under the Blackhawks control, according to a report by Ben Pope, quoting the Hawks assistant general manager, it sounds like Chicago wants Levshunov to play in the AHL next season, rather than returning to East Lansing.

Blackhawks AGM Mark Eaton made it sound like they'd like Artyom Levshunov to be in the AHL this season.

"If we have the ability to have him in-house and our great development staff in Rockford working with him on a daily basis to start to close that gap between where he is and…

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) July 3, 2024

Watch Red Wings goalie speak about MSU goalie Trey Augustine

Alex Lyon spoke about MSU goaltender Trey Augustine on a recent podcast:

Michigan State has one of the best goalies in college hockey with Trey Augustine patrolling the crease for the green and white. Augustine had an outstanding freshman season with MSU and will now be gearing up for a sophomore year with the team.

Aside from MSU, Augustine was drafted 41st overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He has also had an outstanding career with Team USA, winning a World Juniors gold medal and competing at the 2024 IIHF World Championship with NHL caliber players.

At the World Championship, Augustine was able to team up with Red Wings netminder Alex Lyon, who took the Spartan under his wing.

Lyon spoke on a podcast about Augustine and what he brings to the table:

https://x.com/LGRWProspects/status/1808173011519873392

Trey Augustine eyeing return to MSU hockey for sophomore season

MSU goalie Trey Augustine appears to be eyeing a sophomore season in East Lansing

Trey Augustine made himself a household name for Michigan State hockey this past season. The freshman goaltender was one of the best netminders in the nation, despite being the youngest goalie in the nation. In amazing news for Spartan fans, it appears that Augustine is eyeing a return to East Lansing for his sophomore season.

Augustine was a second round pick by the Detroit Red Wings last season and would have an option to go professional if he, or the organization, wanted him to. It looks like he will be donning the green and white again next season, though.

For those that wanna worry and haven’t heard everyone else say it, yes Trey himself said it. He’s coming back pic.twitter.com/HAb1yVE90H

— JerBear (@JD_Jerbear) April 2, 2024

LOOK: Anson Carter reps Michigan State hockey on national television

LOOK: Anson Carter was repping MSU on TNT

Anson Carter is one of the most decorated players in Michigan State hockey history. From 1992-96, Carter patrolled the wing in East Lansing, scoring 106 goals and getting 72 assists, for 178 total points, while being an All-American.

Carter went on to have an 11-year NHL career. Post playing, Carter now resides on the main desk for TNT’s NHL coverage.

In one of the latest shows, during the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers post game, Carter was repping his alma mater.

Solid wardrobe selection by Anson Carter. pic.twitter.com/wdqgyzEYrx

— Anthony Allen Pollreisz (@anthony_allen_p) February 25, 2024