Tom Anastos' success in his inaugural season behind the MSU bench was seen on the ice with an NCAA Tournament berth.
Off the ice, he got off to a great start in recruiting. As a result, four incoming players were selected in the 2012 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh.
In the third round, former Birmingham-Brother Rice forward Mackenzie MacEachern and Minnesota defenseman John Draeger were selected with back-to-back picks in the third around at No. 67 to the St. Louis Blues and No. 68 to the Minnesota Wild, respectively. MacEachern is set to play for the USHL's Chicago Steel next season before coming to MSU in 2013. Draeger is set to come to campus this fall.
In the fourth round, the Calgary Flames selected Canadian defenseman Rhett Holland at No. 102 overall. The Winnipeg Jets selected Chesterfield, Mich., native and center Matt DeBlouw in the seventh round at No. 186 overall. Both also are expected to be in East Lansing this fall.
The four players (current or incoming) drafted are the most for MSU since 2006.
"We are very pleased for the guys who were drafted today," said Tom Anastos, who himself was drafted in the sixth round by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1981 draft. "All four of them have excellent futures ahead of them and we are excited about them beginning the next phase of their development at Michigan State."
Each professional sports league has different rules for players' rights. NCAA hockey players can be drafted and still go to school. The team owns their rights until 30 days after the player leaves college, according ProIceHockey.About.com.
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Here is info on the incoming MSU recruiting class. The great MSU hockey blog The Munn Minute has a spreadsheet to keep track of upcoming classes. The best incoming talent is still a few years away.