The timing of the NBA and NHL Drafts is interesting as the two-round hoops process wrapped up on Thursday night but the hockey draft's first round takes place on Friday evening.
And Michigan State hockey will be well-represented.
While Isaac Howard and Trey Augustine surprisingly announced their returns to Michigan State for the 2025-26 season, some other stars could hear their names called this weekend, starting with the first round on Friday night.
Augustine and Howard already have their rights spoken for after being drafted in recent years, but the Spartans could have more first-round talents sent to the NHL on Friday and Saturday.
Who are they?
The best chances for Michigan State to have first-rounders on Friday night would be Ryker Lee and Shane Vansaghi. The latter is a freshman from St. Louis who appeared in all 37 games this season and was the sixth-youngest player in college hockey, per his bio on MSU's official site. He had six goals and 10 assists and was ranked No. 36 on NHL's Central Scouting Midterm Rankings. There's a chance he could go in round one, but he's more likely an early second-rounder.
As for Lee, he's an incoming freshman who played for the Madison Capitols last season and was the United States Hockey League's Rookie of the Year (the team's first-ever ROY). He had 68 points (31 goals) in 58 games this past season and was in the top 30 in terms of North American skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings.
Eric Nilson is the third-best option, more than likely, as another incoming freshman who is ranked one of the top European skaters in this draft class. He could be a late first-rounder, at best, but many believe he will slide into round two on Saturday.
Three more future Spartans are also draft eligible and won't be selected on Friday night but should hear their names called at some point this weekend: Mason West, Brady Peddle, and Brooks Cullen.
Tune in on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET as the 2025 NHL Entry Draft kicks off in Los Angeles on ESPN to potentially hear a couple of Spartans have their names called.