​History will be made in college hockey on October 31st as Michigan State meets North Dakota in Austin, Texas on Halloween night. The much-anticipated clash is poised to feature an unprecedented number of first-round NHL draft picks in a single collegiate game, with 13 total first-round selections expected to take the ice. As fans don costumes and revel in the festive atmosphere, the Spartans and Fighting Hawks will stage a marquee showdown between two elite, nationally prominent programs.
Entering the 2026-27 season, Michigan State stands as the three-time defending Big Ten champion, yet that success has not yet translated into NCAA Tournament wins in each of those title years. Last season, the Spartans earned a No. 1 seed as the third-ranked team in the country. In their opening-round game, Michigan State held a 3-1 lead against the Wisconsin Badgers late in the third period, only to see Wisconsin surge back with three quick goals in the final minutes, ending the Spartans’ tournament run earlier than hoped.
North Dakota also entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season ranked No. 2 nationally. The Fighting Hawks dominated their early games, blanking Merrimack and Quinnipiac in consecutive matchups and outscoring opponents 8-0 to reach the Frozen Four. Yet, as with Michigan State, North Dakota ran into Wisconsin in Las Vegas and fell 2-1 in a closely contested defeat.
Now these two programs collide in a game with significant national implications, not only for rankings but also for breaking new ground in college hockey history. The matchup will feature a combined 13 first-round NHL Draft picks, a record for the most first-round selections ever represented in a single college hockey game. It promises to showcase the sport’s brightest young stars on a national stage on Halloween night in Austin.
North Dakota comes into the game with four first-round picks on its roster. The group includes Calgary’s 2026 first-round selection Carson Carels, San Jose’s 2026 first-round pick Keaton Verhoeff, Calgary’s 2025 first-round selection Cole Reschny, and New York Rangers’ 2024 first-round pick EJ Emery, among others. On the Michigan State side, the Spartans boast a remarkable nine first-round drafts, tied for the most ever on a college hockey roster with their intra-state rival, Michigan. Michigan State has built a program renowned for developing elite NHL talent, and the upcoming season is again expected to feature a roster loaded with future professional stars.
Among the nine first-round picks on Michigan State’s roster are several players from the 2026 NHL Draft class, including Tommy Bjell (Nashville) and Chase Reid (Seattle), as well as others who figure to play pivotal roles for the Spartans. The program’s track record of grooming high-end talent continues to attract attention from fans, scouts, and future pros alike.
As the two teams prepare for this historic showdown, the broader implications extend beyond individual careers. The game is set to influence national rankings and attention, serving as a potent showcase for college hockey’s depth of talent and competitive spirit. Halloween in Austin will thus become a stage for a remarkable celebration of the sport’s most promising youngsters, underscoring why college hockey remains a critical stepping stone to the NHL and a source of pride for programs that consistently produce top-tier players.