Michigan State hockey ready to defend its crown, take next step in 2024-25

Sure it's a whole new season and Michigan State hockey has plenty of key contributors to replace. Heck, the Spartans had the best defenseman and rookie skater last season in Artyom Levshunov.

He's gone he was picked second overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, and decided to take advantage of that selection. Still the Spartans have plenty of firepower returning in 2024-25. They have plenty of players on the roster with NHL futures.

That includes captain Red Savage, whose pro rights belong to the Detroit Red Wings -- as do stud goaltender Trey Augustine's rights.

The Spartans have huge goals ahead as they enter the new season at No. 4 in the hockey polls. For good reason they won both the Big Ten regular season, and Big Ten tournament championships.

A loss against rival Michigan one game from the Frozen Four, certainly has them eyeing more.

Levshunov wasn't the only major loss, as the Spartans lost former captain Nash Nienhuis, and an all-senior forward line of Nicolas Muller, Reed Lebster, and Jeremey Davidson. That is a tough group to replace, but the Spartans have completely retooled along with bring back some guys that are ready to carry the new tradition of excellence going.

As the Spartans open play at Lake Superior State this weekend, they have plenty of goals to reach in 2024-25. Head coach Adam Nightingale has plenty to look forward to as its a homecoming of sorts for the Cheboygan, Mich., native.

"We have a ton of respect for Lake State and their program and we know that coaching staff is going to have those guys ready to go, but we're excited about going on the road," Nightingale said of the Spartans' opening road trip to the LSJ's Nathaniel Bott.

The reigning Big Ten champs, opened at home last season with two-straight wins over Lake Superior State. This time they will have to be gritty and get off on the right note on the road. Returning nearly 70 percent of their scoring from last season, certainly gives me the confidence to believe in this Spartan hockey team.

Boy it's great to see the boys at Munn back in contention. Is this the year they get back to the Frozen Four? I sure hope so.

Good luck this weekend, Spartans.