Michigan State hockey is being well-represented across the NHL this week as rookies and former draft picks are being invited to participate in development camps.
From the East Coast all the way to California, and everywhere inbetween, Michigan State is sending players to participate in these camps, learn from their future coaches, get acclimated with the organization, and return home better than when they left.
It’s always a plus when multiple Spartans are at one development camp so they can develop a rapport with each other before getting to East Lansing.
That’s the situation with incoming freshman Nikita Klepov, who was the 15th overall pick in the 2026 draft by the Anaheim Ducks, and rising Swedish sophomore Eric Nilson who was born in Canada. He spent last season with the Spartans, totaling 11 points over 35 games. My guess is that he’ll have a much bigger role with Michigan State in year two.
Both are reportedly competing at the dev camp in Anaheim together this week.
According to the Anaheim Ducks, both Nilson and Klepov will be participating in development camp through Wednesday, July 1.
Nilson was the organization’s second-round pick in the 2025 draft class, going 45th overall. He’ll be tasked with taking Klepov under his wing seeing as they’re getting acquainted before even getting to East Lansing. The two will be new teammates this fall.
Michigan State will benefit from the Ducks’ dev camp
Like I already said, getting two future teammates together at the same development camp is huge for Michigan State. They’re going to develop a familiarity with one another that’ll help the incoming freshman assimilate to campus life easier when the time comes.
Nilson was a talented freshman in 2025-26 and although he had a quieter season than he would’ve hoped, he knows what it’s going to take to carve out a big role with the loaded Spartans.
It’s going to be up to Nilson to show Klepov the ropes — at least get that started this week.
Klepov is a Russian forward who apparently “possesses a bottomless tank of energy” and who’s been dubbed a cerebral technician and puck-handler by Elite Prospects. He had an video game-like 97 points (37 goals, 60 assists) in 67 games with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit in 2025-26.
These two are going to have a large impact on Michigan State’s title push.
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