On Oct. 31, the Michigan State Spartans will host the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks in Austin, Texas, for a Halloween‑themed exhibition that promises to rewrite NCAA lore.
A Milestone Matchup
The contest will feature a record 14 NHL first‑round selections, the most ever assembled for a single college game, underscoring the depth of talent on both rosters.
Michigan State arrives with nine projected first‑rounders, highlighted by a goaltender who ranks as the second‑most‑valued NHL prospect among draft‑eligible net‑minders.
Head coach Adam Nightingale, who has led the program for over four years, emphasizes the team’s ambition to contend for a national title or at least secure a Frozen Four berth.
North Dakota will counter with four first‑round prospects, including forward Cayden Lindstrom and defenseman Chase Reid, both of whom have generated significant early‑season buzz.
The game is being framed as a pivotal early‑season test for two top‑five teams, with analysts expecting the outcome to influence the trajectory of the national championship race.