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Michigan State men’s ice hockey ranks in top-5 for 2006 recruiting class

MSU’s class includes a five-star prospect and multiple four-star prospects.

Syndication: Lansing State Journal
Michigan State hockey head coach Adam Nightingale
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Puck Preps — the ice hockey equivalent of of websites like 247Sports or Rivals for football and basketball — has ranked Michigan State at No. 4 for the 2006 recruiting class.

Players in this class (born in 2006) will have turned 16 years old in 2022 and some are projected to join Michigan State’s roster as soon as the 2024-2025 season. The Spartans’ ‘06 class includes four total commits: one five-star recruit and three four-star recruits. Boston University ranked No. 1 with Minnesota at No. 2 and Harvard at No. 3.

Michigan State’s class of ‘06 commits includes forwards Austin Baker, Lucas Van Vliet and Christian Humphreys — all are currently playing for the Team USA National Team Development Program under-17 squad. Its most recent ‘06 commit is forward Riley Patterson, who is playing for the North York Rangers in the OJHL. Humphreys is the five-star recruit. He scored five goals in his debut for Team USA’s under-17 team.

Most recently on the recruiting trail, Michigan State gained a commitment from forward A.J. Lacroix, although he is a 2005-born player and could join MSU in 2023-2024.

This weekend, Michigan State will face off against the Team USA under-18 squad in an exhibition match up. It will be the Spartans’ first-ever game at the newly-renovated Munn Ice Arena.

Also on the Team USA under-18 roster is Trey Augustine, a goaltender who flipped his commitment from Michigan to Michigan State earlier this year. Fans can potentially see him in action if they head to the game. MSU has also announced that the first 500 patrons will receive a free jersey.

Michigan State’s first regular season game will be on Oct. 7 against Bowling Green.


Michigan State men’s ice hockey commitments

Pos. Name Proj. Class Rating Current Team Class Age Hometown AAA Org. Commit Date Coach
Pos. Name Proj. Class Rating Current Team Class Age Hometown AAA Org. Commit Date Coach
F Arvega Hovsepyan 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tri-City Storm (USHL) 2003 19 Los Angeles, Calif. L.A. Jr. Kings 09/25/2021 Cole
D Jack Sparkes 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lincoln Stars (USHL) 2003 18 Toronto, Ont. Don Mills Flyers 11/23/2021 Cole
G Luca Di Pasquo 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pentincton Vees (BCHL) 2003 19 Livonia, Mich. Honeybaked 11/20/2021 Cole
D Austin Oravetz 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) 2003 19 Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins 08/23/2022 Nightingale
F Owen Baker 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) 2004 18 Howell, Mich. Honeybaked 08/01/2020 Cole
F Justin Varner 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) 2004 18 Shelby Township, Mich. Honeybaked 08/01/2020 Cole
D Tucker Shedd 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Omaha Lancers (USHL) 2004 18 Holt, Mich. Honeybaked 08/02/2020 Cole
D Owen West 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) 2004 18 Pittsboro, Ind. Honeybaked 10/20/2021 Cole
F Dylan Wegner 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) 2004 18 Nashville, Tenn. Bishop-Kearney 11/15/2021 Cole
D Patrick Geary 2024-25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) 2004 18 Hamburg, N.Y. Buffalo Jr. Sabres 07/16/2022 Nightingale
F Mykhailo Danylov 2024-25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) 2004 18 Kyiv, Ukr. Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 08/05/2022 Nightingale
D Dominic Elliott 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) 2004 18 Allendale, Mich. Fox Motors 08/01/2020 Cole
F Isaac Gordon 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Chicago Steel (USHL) 2004 18 Landmark, Man. Eastman Selects 08/16/2022 Nightingale
F Tommi Männistö 2024-25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja) 2004 18 Riihimaki, Fin. Jokerit 09/15/2022 Nightingale
F Nathan Mackie 2024-25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) 2004 18 Prince George, B.C. 11/03/2022 Nightingale
F Riley Bassen 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) 2005 17 Frisco, Texas Dallas Jr. Stars 09/02/2021 Cole
F Christian Kim 2024-25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) 2005 17 Torrance, Calif. Anaheim Jr. Ducks 01/01/2022 Cole
D Frederic Deschenes 2024-25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) 2005 16 Sorrel-Tracy, Québec Séminaire St-Joseph 09/02/2022 Nightingale
D Luke Baker 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Omaha Lancers (USHL) 2005 17 Howell, Mich. North Jersey Avalanche U16 02/27/2022 Cole
G Trey Augustine 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Team USA NTDP U18 2005 17 South Lyon, Mich. Honeybaked 09/06/2022 Nightingale
F A.J. Lacroix 2023-24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) 2005 17 West Vancouver, B.C. 09/20/2022 Nightingale
F Austin Baker 2024-25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Team USA NTDP U17 2006 16 White Lake, Mich. Little Ceasars 08/01/2022 Nightingale
F Lucas Van Vliet 2024-25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Team USA NTDP U17 2006 16 Livonia, Mich. Little Ceasars 08/01/2022 Nightingale
F Christian Humphreys 2024-25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Team USA NTDP U17 2006 16 Pittsburgh, Pa. Bishop Kearney 08/16/2022 Nightingale
D Garin Ludwig 2025-26 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Honeybaked U16 2006 16 Eagle River, Alaska 09/01/2022 Nightingale
F Riley Patterson 2025-26 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ North York Rangers (OJHL) 2006 16 Etobicoke, Ont. 09/15/2022 Nightingale
Last Updated: Nov. 3, 2022