​Expectations for Michigan State hockey heading into the 2026-27 season are poised to be sky-high. The Spartans enter off three straight Big Ten championships and a roster that produced five first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. Yet, for the first time in three years, Trey Augustine won’t be patrolling the crease for Adam Nightingale. Following the end of Michigan State’s season, Augustine joined the Detroit Red Wings organization, leaving behind what is arguably one of the program’s greatest goaltending runs.
In his place, the Spartans will turn to freshman Joshua Ravensbergen. A first-round caliber talent in his own right, Ravensbergen steps into the starting role for a team that isn’t just chasing a fourth consecutive Big Ten title; it’s aiming to finally break through and reach the Frozen Four. That would be a milestone Michigan State has been unable to achieve, despite Augustine’s stalwart goaltending.
But this article isn’t about Ravensbergen. It’s about the group that will be protecting him: the defense. The best way to ease a young goalie into the bright lights of Munn Ice Arena is to provide elite support in front of the net. By limiting quality scoring chances, clogging shooting lanes, and making life difficult for opposing forwards, the Spartans’ blueline can help Ravensbergen settle into his new role more quickly. That’s where Michigan State’s defense comes in.
Under Nightingale, the Spartans have built a reputation for stout defensive play, a trend that culminated last season with captain Matt Basgall earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. In my view, Basgall’s responsible, high-level defensive work was a key reason Augustine captured his second consecutive Big Ten Goaltender of the Year award. So, who will be charged with safeguarding the program’s latest netminder?
Michigan State’s defensive corps features a blend of high pedigree and versatility, with two first-round picks, two third-round selections, one sixth-round pick, two seventh-round picks, and a cadre of players hungry to take on larger roles. The two defensemen who have yet to be drafted are returning players Owen West (junior) and Cole Ward (sophomore). Ward, a Rochester Hills native, stands 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, providing the Spartans with another imposing presence on the blue line. West, by contrast, brings a tougher, grittier edge. An Iowa native, he may be undersized by comparison, but he compensates with tenacity, relentless effort, and a fearless willingness to engage.
Michigan State’s two seventh-round selections are Matthew Lahey (sophomore) and freshman Cullen McCrate. Lahey checks in at 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds, continuing the trend of imposing defensive play. He was chosen by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Draft. McCrate, one of the program’s newest freshmen, had his name called by the Boston Bruins in the seventh round of the 2026 NHL Draft. The Adrian, Michigan native stands 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, and his presence on the ice signals the Spartans’ depth and potential for growth on the back end.
Together, this defensive unit promises to deliver the kind of support Ravensbergen will need as he adjusts to college hockey’s pace and intensity. If the defense can maintain the discipline, clog lanes, and generate reliable breakouts, Michigan State could translate its defensive identity into sustained success in 2026-27, potentially setting up a run at the program’s next major milestone—another deep playoff push and a return to the Frozen Four.