Michigan State hockey vs. Boston College series preview

2. Future NHL talent on display

I’m not joking when I say the level of talent that will be on the ice this weekend is going to be hard to replicate in college hockey again this season. The Spartans' and Eagles' rosters boast over 15 NHL draft picks and most of them are top-end talent.

I mentioned Trey Augustine being one of the top NCAA goaltending prospects. He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Michigan State forward Isaac Howard is also a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect and has had several good camps with them. 



On Boston College's roster, be sure to watch out for their forward group. It is absolutely stacked with talent. That group is led by incoming freshman and presumptive No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NHL draft, James Hagens. He has skills that are off the charts and will be putting up huge numbers for the Eagles this year. I currently have him penciled in as my Hobey Baker winner.

Not to be overshadowed by Hagens, we can’t help but also look at his linemates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perrault. These two are extremely gifted players who have put up points records just about everywhere they’ve played. Initially, with the US Developmental Program, these two and their former linemate Will Smith set the program scoring records while playing there. All three committed to Boston College and played their freshman year together doing much of the same. Smith signed his NHL entry contract with San Jose so he is off to the pro hockey scene. Leonard and Perrault opted for probably one more year before doing the same. 



These three are an absolute wrecking crew up front. The Spartans will have their hands full trying to limit production from this line.

Finally, the last Boston College player I want to highlight is Forward Teddy Stiga. He was selected in the second round of this past NHL draft by the Nashville Predators. Many hockey experts projected Stiga to potentially have some first-round traits, but he ended up slipping to the Preds. He will be another guy to watch for that the Spartans will have a hard time trying to take out of the game.