A Record‑Breaking Class
The 2026 NHL draft has become a milestone for Michigan State hockey, with four incoming freshmen hearing their names called in the opening round. The selections not only underscore the program’s rising talent pipeline but also establish a new NCAA benchmark: nine first‑round picks on the Spartans’ roster.
Chase Reid emerged as the fourth defenseman taken, landing at seventh overall with the Seattle Kraken. Nikita Klepov followed at the 15th spot, chosen by the Anaheim Ducks, while Ethan Belchetz was drafted 17th by the Utah Mammoth. Jack Hextall rounded out the first‑round sweep at pick No. 30, earning a spot with the Calgary Flames.
Tommy Bleyl, another defenseman from the class, was selected 31st by the Nashville Predators but will defer his professional debut to the 2027‑28 season, choosing instead to develop further within the collegiate system. Brooks Rogowski, a highly touted commit, slipped out of the first round but is projected to be a mid‑to‑late second‑round selection, keeping the Spartans’ draft presence strong.
The newly drafted players will soon converge with the existing cohort of first‑round talents on the Spartans’ lineup, adding depth and experience as the team prepares for the upcoming winter season. Their arrival is expected to bolster Michigan State’s defensive and offensive schemes, reinforcing the program’s reputation as a breeding ground for NHL‑ready prospects.