Buffalo's Draft Night Shines for Michigan State
The 2026 NHL Draft opened in Buffalo, New York, on June 26, drawing a crowd of scouts, families and media eager to see which prospects would hear their names called.
Among the prospects, Michigan State’s hockey program enjoyed a standout night, as five of its committed players were chosen in the first round, and four of them inked entry‑level contracts shortly thereafter.
Chase Reid, a Chesterfield native who starred for the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, became the highest‑selected Spartan, slipping to the seventh overall pick and joining the Seattle Kraken.
Reid’s selection underscored the depth of talent in the class, and his immediate signing signaled the Kraken’s confidence in the Michigan State product.
Spartans Across the Board
Other Spartans followed suit: Jack Hextall was drafted 30th by the Calgary Flames, while Tommy Bleyl fell to the 31st spot with the Nashville Predators. Both players bring a blend of size and skill that could translate well to the professional game.
The draft also featured Nikita Klepov, a Florida‑born forward who went 15th overall to the Anaheim Ducks, and Ethan Belchetz, who was taken 17th by the Utah Mammoth after a 34‑goal, 25‑assist season with the Windsor Spitfires.
J.P. Hurlbert, a Michigan commit, rounded out the Spartan representation at the 23rd pick for the Detroit Red Wings, adding another layer of intrigue to the team’s draft narrative.
Perhaps the most striking statistic of the night was the disparity between Michigan State and the University of Michigan, which saw only a single player selected, giving the Spartans a 5‑to‑1 advantage in first‑round commitments.
Analysts say the haul could revitalize the Spartans’ recruiting pipeline, sending a clear message that the program is producing NHL‑ready talent at an accelerated rate.