Michigan State’s hockey program has just celebrated a draft weekend that could reshape its future, with six committed players and signees selected among the first 33 picks of the 2026 NHL Draft and a seventh addition landing in the fourth round.
Coach Adam Nightingale, now in his third season at the helm, has turned the roster into a talent pipeline, leveraging his connections to bring in a wave of prospects who blend skill with the physical brand of hockey he champions.
A New Era of Defensive Strength
Among them, defenseman Nick Bogas, a 2008‑born Royal Oak native, was chosen 139th overall by the St. Louis Blues. Bogas, whose father Chris Bogas once skated for Michigan State in the late 1990s, is being hailed as a throwback defender whose relentless physicality should translate well to the college game.
Heading the list of other selections, Chase Reid went seventh overall to the Seattle Kraken, Tommy Bleyl was picked 31st by the Nashville Predators, and Jonas Kemps slid to 98th with the Florida Panthers, underscoring the depth of Nightingale’s recruiting class.
Nightingale’s ability to attract top‑tier defensemen — four of whom were drafted within the top 139 picks — has put the Spartans on the cusp of breaking a long‑standing program record, a milestone that reflects both his vision and the growing appeal of Michigan State hockey.
The commitments, many of which were secured months before the draft, signal a program that is not only rebuilding but also positioning itself as a destination for elite prospects who want to develop under a coach known for demanding excellence on and off the ice.