A Fresh Face in the Lineup
Michigan State’s hockey program enters the new season with a clear mandate: its success will hinge on the production of its center corps.
The departure of senior standouts Charlie Stramel and Tiernan Shoudy leaves a sizable void, especially in faceoff efficiency and penalty killing.
Enter Jack Hextall, a 6‑foot‑1 freshman who arrives from the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, where he logged 20 goals and 38 assists in 59 games last year.
Coach Ryan Ward has praised Hextall as a complete, mature player who excels in both offensive and defensive zones, noting his readiness to assume a leadership role.
Analysts project Hextall to be selected in the late first round of the upcoming NHL draft, placing him alongside four other future Michigan State recruits who are also expected to hear their names called.
The Spartans’ roster also retains key contributors such as Chase Reid, Ethan Belchetz, Nikita Klepov and Brooks Rogowski, providing depth as the team looks to rebuild its forward lines.
With the regular season approaching, the team’s chemistry will be tested, but the blend of veteran experience and fresh talent offers a promising outlook for Michigan State’s center position.