If you stuck around to watch the entire 2026 NHL Draft, first of all, you’re a sicko. And second of all, you were treated to an Adam Nightingale masterclass.
The Michigan State hockey coach got to watch nine (!!) of his future players get drafted over the weekend, starting with a program record five in the first round. In just the first round, 15 percent of the draft picks were either committed to or signed by Michigan State. Most of them are also set to join the roster for the 2026-27 season.
Almost half of the Spartan draftees this weekend will be joining the program either next year or maybe even in two years. There’s one draftee who may not be at Michigan State until 2028-29.
That draftee actually broke the program record for picks in a single draft class, becoming the ninth Spartan to have his name called during the 2026 NHL Draft. That draftee happens to be Cullen McCrate, the fifth Spartan defenseman to be selected this weekend as well.
The Adrian, Mich., native wasn’t on many draft boards, but the Boston Bruins took a chance on him in the seventh round, picking him at No. 216. It wasn’t looking like the Spartans were going to break the record for draftees in a single class, but the Bruins threw Michigan State a bone and picked the 2007-born defenseman with their final selection.
The 19-year-old defenseman last played for the Fargo Force where he had a +19 in 2025-26 and totaled 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 61 games.
He’s still undecided about when he plans to join the Spartans.
Michigan State broke several records in the 2026 NHL Draft
Several records were broken by Michigan State this weekend.
The first was the five first-round picks which set a program record. After that, it was the nine draft picks which also set a program record. And finally, the nine total first-rounders projected to be on the 2026-27 roster is an NCAA record, breaking the seven that Michigan previously had five years ago.
Three impressive records broken in a 48-hour span by a program that was declared dead in the water just five years ago. Michigan State’s resurgence can be attributed to Nightingale, but the fifth-year head coach needs to get over that second-round hurdle to make his first Frozen Four next season.
Until then, these records are relatively meaningless.
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