Michigan State hockey finishes with 3rd most picks in 2025 NHL Draft

For yet another year under Adam Nightingale, Michigan State hockey has produced a multitude of NHL Draft picks -- it never gets old hearing that.

While the Spartans didn't have a top-five pick again this year like Artyom Levshunov was a season ago, going No. 2 overall to the Chicago Blackhawks, they did rack up six draftees.

That was good for third-most of any college hockey program.

Michigan led the way with eight selections, Boston University was in second with seven, and Michigan State came in a tie for third with North Dakota, sending six players to the NHL Draft.

The first Spartan selected was newcomer Ryker Lee who spent last season with the Madison Capitols; he went No. 26 overall to the Nashville Predators. Next was incoming freshman Mason West who was picked No. 29 overall by the Blackhawks.

After those two first-rounders, it was Eric Nilson at No. 45. He's a Swedish center who's one of the newcomers on this year's team. Following him, Shane Vansaghi went No. 48 overall to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Brady Peddle went No. 91 overall in the third round to the Pittsburgh Penguins and then Max Heise was the 150th overall pick in the fifth round by the San Jose Sharks.

This draft class just goes to show that Adam Nightingale is both a great coach (save one NCAA Tournament loss to Cornell) and an elite talent developer. He's obviously one of the best recruiters in the nation and he just continues to raise the standard at Michigan State. It seems like he just elevates the bar every single season and it's refreshing to see after the 10-plus of mediocrity.

Nightingale has been a godsend for the program and the next goal is obviously a national title. Finishing as one of the best NHL talent producers every year helps, too.