Michigan State hockey coach Adam Nightingale watched proudly as nine of his future players heard their names called at the 2026 NHL Draft, a moment that cemented a program record with five first‑round selections.
The draft not only broke the Spartans' own mark for picks in a single class but also established a new NCAA benchmark, projecting nine first‑round talents to join the 2026‑27 roster and reshaping expectations for the program.
Among the draftees, defenseman Cullen McCrate emerged as the ninth Spartan selected, extending the school's record for total selections in a single draft year.
McCrate, a native of Adrian, Michigan, was chosen in the seventh round by the Boston Bruins. He honed his game with the Fargo Force, posting a +19 rating and 30 points across 61 games during the 2025‑26 season.
Nightingale's impact on player development has been widely credited for the surge, but the coach knows that validation will come only when the team translates these draft successes into on‑ice triumphs, starting with a run at the Frozen Four.
The program's resurgence reflects a strategic blend of recruiting, player growth, and a culture that emphasizes both academic and athletic excellence, positioning Michigan State as a rising power in collegiate hockey.