Adam Nightingale has pulled another rabbit out of his hat.
The Michigan State hockey coach, fresh off a third straight Big Ten title, just picked up a huge commitment on Tuesday.
The rich just keep getting richer.
Keeping with the theme of rostering projected first-rounders, Nightingale picked up a commitment from Ethan Belchetz, a forward from Ontario, who is apparently set to join the team for next season. The Spartans were already projected as a top team, but there might be a case for No. 1 yet again.
Projected 1st round pick in the NHL Draft Ethan Belchetz commits to MSU for next season. Big forward who can play in all situations pic.twitter.com/hYnDD9BaxD
— JerBear (@JD_Jerbear) May 12, 2026
Belchetz is probably a familiar name for those of you who follow the NHL draft religiously because he is a projected top-10 pick in ESPN’s latest mock. He’s one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class along with fellow Spartan commit Chase Reid who has been projected as high as No. 2 overall.
The Spartans are about to be loaded once again and it’s all thanks to Nightingale’s ability to recruit at a high level and sell a potential national title to these star hockey players who are likely to be in the NHL sooner rather than later.
Michigan State’s roster is just loaded with potential first-round picks and guys who have already been selected in past drafts. The expectation in 2026-27 needs to be national title.
The 2026-27 season may be “national title or bust” for Michigan State
I’ve said for a while that I hate the term “national title or bust” in college athletics just because there are so many variables and unpredictable instances that go into winning it all. You have to be good obviously, but there’s some luck that plays into it. Winning a collegiate national title is difficult because you have to be essentially perfect in the postseason.
But given the amount of talent that Michigan State is bringing in next season, there should be no expectation short of a national title.
Obviously a Frozen Four would be a step in the right direction, but after adding guys like Chase Reid, Nikita Klepov, Mason West, Joshua Ravensbergen, Cullen Potter, and now Belchetz this offseason, Nightingale may have his most talented roster yet. Winning a national title should never be “expected” but in this case, it would be disappointing to fall short again.
You can’t fault Nightingale for not trying because he’s putting together rosters that are legitimately terrifying. He can’t put the puck in the net himself.
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