Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey explained

Team Name:Michigan State Spartans
Team Link:
Current:2023–24 Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey season
University:Michigan State University
Sex:men's
Conference:Big Ten Conference
Conference Short:Big Ten
Location:East Lansing, Michigan
Coach:Adam Nightingale
Coach Year:3rd
Coach Wins:43
Coach Losses:28
Coach Ties:5
Arena:Munn Ice Arena
Capacity:6,470
Surface:200' x 85'
Color1:Green
Color2:White
Hex1:1C453B
Hex2:FFFFFF
Fight Song:Victory for MSU
Ncaachampion:1966, 1986, 2007
Ncaarunnerup:1959, 1987
Ncaafrozenfour:1959, 1966, 1967, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2007
Ncaatourneys:1959, 1966, 1967, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2024
Conference Tournament:WCHA

1966, 1967
CCHA: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006
Big Ten: 2024

Conference Season:CCHA

1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2001
Big Ten: 2024

Uniform Image:Michigan spartans hockey unif.png

The Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents Michigan State University (MSU). The team plays at the Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Michigan, on the MSU campus. The Spartans have won the NCAA national championship three times (1966, 1986, and 2007). The current head coach is Adam Nightingale, who took over coaching duties on May 3, 2022, after Danton Cole was fired. Michigan State currently competes in the Big Ten Conference.

The MSU ice hockey program has seven CCHA regular season championships, 11 CCHA Tournament titles, and 1 Big Ten Conference regular season championship. MSU has also won 12 Great Lakes Invitational titles, 3 ACHA Division 2 titles and 1 ACHA Division 3 title. The Spartans have been in the NCAA tournament 23 times, with nine Frozen Four appearances. On April 7, 2007, the Michigan State Spartans won their third national championship by beating Boston College 3–1. Their traditional rival is Michigan and the teams have played an annual game in Detroit since 1990. Starting at the Joe Louis Arena, the game has since moved to Little Caesars Arena in 2018.

History

Early history

The Spartan ice hockey program traces its roots back to the first informal varsity team that began in 1922 playing an independent NCAA Division I schedule.[1] On January 11, 1922, Michigan State played its first intercollegiate hockey game, a 5-1 loss to Michigan.[2] Home games during the first season were played on the frozen Red Cedar River on MSU's campus.[3]

Michigan State finished 0–3 in the 1922 season and picked up its first win during the second season on February 11, 1923, 6–1 over the Lansing Independents.[2] The team did not play the 1923–24 season but returned for the 1924–25 season. The 1924–25 season marked the first time the program had a head coach, John Kobs, who also coached the Michigan State Spartans baseball team.[2] Kobs' tenure at Michigan State lasted six season before the team was suspended for 19 seasons. During which time the team compiled a record of 8-18-1.[1]

Harold Paulsen was hired as the varsity ice hockey coach at Michigan State on August 1, 1948 following the suspension of the hockey programs during the years of the Great Depression and World War II.[2] Before recruiting or coaching, Paulsen oversaw the renovation of Demonstration Hall into an indoor rink with artificial ice-making capabilities. On January 12, 1950, MSU played its first game since 1930, losing to Michigan Tech 6–2. Paulsen struggled through his first two years at Michigan State with a 6–25 record.[1] MSU athletic director Ralph Young felt the hockey program's progress was inadequate and Paulsen resigned. Following the 1951 season, Amo Bessone accepted the head coaching position at Michigan State University. Bessone would remain at MSU for the next 28 years.

In the 1958–59 season Michigan State, Minnesota, and Michigan formed their own ice hockey division due to the dissolution of the WIHL. Michigan State won it with a record of 5–2–1 in the division play.

Amo Bessone era

When Bessone arrived at Michigan State, the ice hockey program was beginning its third full season after being reinstated. That same season, in 1951–52, the Spartans joined Colorado College, Denver, Michigan, Michigan Tech, Minnesota, and North Dakota as founding members of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey League (MCHL).[4]

Amo Bessone won his first collegiate hockey game as head coach on November 29, 1951, when the Spartans defeated Ontario Agricultural College 8–2.[2] The Spartans struggled with six losing seasons before Bessone turned things around in his seventh season as coach.[1] In 1957–58, Michigan State enjoyed its first winning season. The following season, Bessone guided MSU to a Big Ten championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament.[5] The tournament was MSU's first NCAA tournament appearance. The Spartans defeated Boston College 4–3 in the semifinals and advanced to the schools's first championship appearance. The Spartans lost the 1959 national championship game in overtime 3–4 to North Dakota. MSU finishes the season 17-6-1.[2] Michigan State became a charter member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in 1959.[2] The WCHA was a reincarnation of the loosely affiliated Midwest Collegiate Hockey League and Western Intercollegiate Hockey League that disbanded following the 1957–58 season.[4] Bessone and MSU struggled during the first five seasons of the WCHA. Again, Bessone turned things around with a winning season in 1964–65. The following season, Bessone coached Michigan State to an improbable NCAA National Championship.[2] [6]

MSU began the 1965–66 season 4-10,[2] but rebounded winning 12 of their last 15 games including defeating the defending national champion, Michigan Tech, to win the WCHA playoffs after finishing sixth in the regular season.[2] The win earned MSU a spot in the 1966 NCAA tournament.[2] In the national semifinals, Bessone upset highly favored Boston University 2–1 with a goal by Spartan forward, Doug Volmar.[2] In the national championship game, Bessone and the Spartans faced Len Ceglarski's Clarkson team that owned the national-best record of 24–2. On March 19, 1966, Michigan State beat top-ranked Clarkson 6–1 victory to give Michigan State is first national championship.[1] [2] Len Ceglarski and Amo Bessone shared the Spencer Penrose Award as the national coach of the year in 1966. The national title and coaching award cemented Bessone's legacy as a coach. To this day, Bessone's 1966 Michigan State team remains one of the biggest underdog stories in NCAA ice hockey history. The total number of team victories (16) and team winning percentage (.551) is the lowest of any NCAA ice hockey champion. MSU made the NCAA tournament again with a strong WCHA playoff finish in 1967, but lost 2–4 in the national semifinals, a rematch of the 1966 NCAA Tournament against Boston University.[2]

Bessone began the 1970s with six straight winning seasons. During Bessone's time coaching the Spartans the team won MSU won its first Great Lakes Invitational by defeating Michigan Tech 5–4 on December 28, 1973.[2]

As MSU hockey was building momentum, Munn Ice Arena opened October 25, 1974, when Michigan State hosted Laurentian.[2] That same season saw the first sellout crowd in Munn's history when the Spartans defeated North Dakota 6–2.[2] A season later, in 1975–76, Bessone guided MSU to its best WCHA conference record of 20-12-0 before Minnesota knocked MSU out of the WCHA playoffs in 6-7 triple overtime loss.[2] Minnesota, who had finished below Michigan State in the conference, received an NCAA tournament bid instead. Bessone announced his retirement effective at the end of the 1978–79 season after three straight losing seasons.[1] Bessone coached his final game as head coach on March 3, 1979, when the Spartans defeated rival Michigan 5–3.[1]

Ron Mason era

After Amo Bessone retired from Michigan State University, the MSU Athletic Director, Joseph Kearney, hired Ron Mason as the Spartans new head coach. Mason was named Spartan head coach on April 1, 1979, and spend the next 23 seasons at Michigan State. It was a rough start in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for Mason as he compiled a record of 26-46-2 over two seasons. Michigan State joined the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in 1981 and over the next few seasons Mason turned the hockey program around. The Spartans won CCHA playoff championships the first four straight seasons of the conference in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985.[1] MSU would win a second national title in 1986 when the Spartans defeated Harvard 6–5.[2] [7]

In 2000 CCHA coaches and athletic directors unanimous voted to renamed the CCHA championship trophy to the Mason Cup in honor of Ron Mason, who was a key figure in establishing the conference in the early 1970s prior to his tenure at Michigan State. During the 2000–01 season Michigan State finished first in the regular season and advanced through the CCHA Tournament winning the first ever Mason Cup.[1] [2] That same season the Spartans made a Frozen Four appearance by beating Wisconsin 5-1 before losing to North Dakota in the Semifinal game.[8] On October 6, 2001, the Spartans hosted an outdoor game at Spartan Stadium against rival Michigan known as The Cold War. The school would set an attendance record for an outdoor hockey game as 74,554 fans attended.[9] The game ended in a 3 - 3 tie.

Mason led Michigan State to seven CCHA regular season titles and a conference-record 10 CCHA tournament titles. In addition, MSU under Mason made 19 NCAA tournament appearances during his 23 seasons with the Spartans.[1] He coached MSU to five NCAA Frozen Fours, two National Championship appearances, and one National Championship.[1] Mason coached two Hobey Baker Memorial Award winners, Kip Miller in 1990 and Ryan Miller in 2001.[10]

Rick Comley era

Rick Comley was announced as Ron Mason's successor as head ice hockey coach at Michigan State University in March 2002.[2] Comley led the Spartans to a tournament appearance in 2004, his second season as MSU's head coach. After losing to Northern Michigan in the 2004 CCHA Tournament the Spartans received an at-large bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Third ranked MSU fell to second seed Minnesota-Duluth in the opening round 0–5.[11]

Comley's Spartans returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 after missing the NCAA Tournament in 2005.[1] Comley guided MSU to a second-place CCHA finish in the regular season and a CCHA Mason Cup championship in 2006. Michigan State advanced into the 2006 Tournament with an automatic bid. The Spartans defeated New Hampshire 1-0 before losing to Maine 4–5 in the East Regional Final.[12]

In the 2006–07 season, Michigan State was preseason ranked No. 5, which was MSU's highest preseason ranking since October 2001. The team earned an NCAA Tournament bid after finishing the regular season with a conference record of 15-10-3. Comley led MSU to defeat three higher-ranked teams en route to the national championship including No. 1-ranked Notre Dame in the Midwest Regional final.[13] In the Frozen Four the team defeated No. 4-ranked Boston College in the national championship game on April 7, 2007, by a score of 3 - 1 in a game that saw Michigan State score three unanswered goals in the third period.[14]

In December 2010 the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines played a second outdoor game at Michigan Stadium. The game, known as The Big Chill at the Big House,[15] took place on December 11, 2010. 104,173 fans filled Michigan Stadium and watched as Michigan beat Michigan State 5–0. The attendance broke the 75,000 of the Cold War and 78,000 of the 2010 IIHF World Championship and set a new attendance record for a hockey game.[16] Later that same season on January 25, 2011, Rick Comley announced that he would retire at the conclusion of the 2010–11 season.[17]

Tom Anastos and Big Ten Conference era

In September 2010 Penn State University announced that the university was elevating its men's and women's American Collegiate Hockey Association club programs to varsity status. Then-CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos publicly stated that the CCHA would strongly consider adding Penn State as the conference's 12th member.[18] On March 21, 2011, the Big Ten Conference announced plans to sponsor men's ice hockey starting in 2013–14 season. Michigan State along with CCHA rivals, University of Michigan and Ohio State University will leave the CCHA to join University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin from the WCHA and Penn State to form a six-team Big Ten Hockey Conference.[19] Less than a week after the Big Ten's announcement Michigan State announced that former CCHA Commissioner, Tom Anastos would become the 6th head coach in the history of the program.[20] Anastos is a former Spartan hockey player who played for MSU from 1981 to 1985. He is also the former coach at Michigan-Dearborn (NAIA) from 1987 to 1990, and compiled a 68-37-7 record. He later served as an assistant coach under Ron Mason from 1990 to 1992.[20]

Anastos picked up his first NCAA DI coaching victory with Michigan State in the second game of the 2012 Icebreaker tournament with a 3–2 overtime win over Air Force.[21] The Spartans finished the 2011–12 season ranked 5th in the CCHA standings and received a first round bye in the CCHA Tournament. The Spartans faced fourth-seeded Miami (OH) in the second round, in the best-of-three series Michigan State was swept 0-6 and 1–4 in two games.[22] Despite being swept by Miami, the Spartans finished 15th in the Pairwise rankings and became the final at-large bid selected for the 2012 NCAA Tournament. The bid marked the team's first appearance in the NCAA post-season since 2008, the team was placed in the East Region held at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut.[23] In the game, Union College took an early lead and held the Spartans to a single goal in a 3–1 win over Michigan State in the East Regional semifinal. The game was the first meeting between the two programs and also the first win in the NCAA Division I national tournament for the Dutchmen.[24]

At the end of the 2016–17 season, it was announced that Tom Anastos would step down as head coach of the Spartans. MSU then announced that they had hired Danton Cole as the program's 7th head coach.[25]

Danton Cole era

On April 11, 2017, Danton Cole was named head coach at Michigan State University.[26] In Cole first season, 2017–18, the Spartans finished last in the Big Ten[27] and were swept in a three-game series in the conference tournament by Ohio State. The next season, MSU once again finished last in the Big Ten[28] and were swept by Notre Dame in the conference tournament. In 2019–20, the Spartans started the season strong and swept Michigan for the first time in Cole's tenure. However, the performances fell off and they finished sixth in the conference before being swept by Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament.[29]

On April 12, 2022, he was fired by Michigan State. During five seasons as head coach, he led the Spartans to a 58–101–12 record.[30]

Adam Nightingale era

On May 3, 2022, Adam Nightingale was named head coach at Michigan State University.[31]

Season-by-season results

See main article: List of Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey seasons. Source:[32]

Coaches

As of the end of the 2023–24 season

All-time coaching records

Source:[33]

TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
1921–1922 No Coach 1 0–4–0
1924–1930 6 8–18–1
1949–1951 2 6–25–0
1951–1979 28 367–427–20
1979–2002 23 635–270–69
2002–2011 9 186–140–39
2011–2017 6 78–121–24
2017–2022 5 58–101–12
2022–Present 2 43–28–5
Totals8 coaches82 seasons1,383–1,138–170

Awards and honors

United States Hockey Hall of Fame

Source:[34]

NCAA

Individual awards

Hobey Baker Award

1990

2001

Spencer Penrose Award

1966

1992

NCAA Scoring Champion

1974

1975, 1976

1989

1989, 1990

2019

Tournament Most Outstanding Player

1966

1986

2007

All-Americans

AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

WCHA

Individual awards

Most Valuable Player

Sophomore of the Year

Freshman of the Year

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-WCHA

Second team all-wcha

CCHA

Individual awards

Player of the Year

Best Defensive Forward

Best Defensive Defenseman

1992

1997, 1998

1999, 2000

2001

2003

Best Offensive Defenseman

1991

2002, 2003

2004

2011, 2012

Best Goaltender

2001, 2002

2004

2000

Coach of the Year

1985, 1989, 1990, 1999

Perani Cup

Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Terry Flanagan Memorial Award

Best Defensive Forward

Ilitch Humanitarian Award

Tournament Most Valuable Player

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-CCHA

Second team all-ccha

CCHA All-Rookie Team

Big Ten

Individual awards

Player of the Year

Defensive Player of the Year

Goaltender of the Year

Freshman of the Year

Coach of the Year

Scoring Champion

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-Big Ten

Second team all-big ten

Big Ten All-Rookie Team

Statistical leaders

Source:[35] [36]

Points

PlayerYears GP G APts PIM
1972–197615513818632494
1972–1976138132168300158
1986–1990176116145261299
1988–19921727515523083
1972–197613896129225204

Saves

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 30 games

PlayerYearsGPMinWLTGASOSV%GAA
1999–2002 116 6383 73 18 12 164 26 .941 1.54
1997–2001 57 3403 36 13 8 100 5 .920 1.76
2003–2006 83 4845 41 24 7 191 16 .916 2.37
2005–2009 146 8690 76 51 17 344 12 .921 2.38
1994–1998 128 7633 88 30 10 284 12 .906 2.46
Statistics current through the start of the 2020–21 season.

Assists

Career
1Tom Ross1861972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
2Steve Colp1681972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
3Peter White155[37] 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92
4Rem Murray147[38] 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95
5Kip Miller1451986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90
Season
1Pat Murray601989–90
2Tom Ross591974–75
3Kevin Miller561986–87
Norm Barnes561973–74
5Steve Colp541975–76
Tom Ross541975–76
Steve Colp541973–74
Single Game
1Steve Colp61974–75Michigan
Daryl Rice61973–74Boston College
Real Turcotte61960–61Ohio

Goals

Career
1Tom Ross1381972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
2Steve Colp1321972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
3Kip Miller1161986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90
4Mike Donnelly1101982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86
5Bobby Reynolds1071985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89
Season
1Mike Donnelly591985–86
2Tom Ross511975–76
3Kip Miller481989–90
4Dwayne Norris44[39] 1991–92
Mitch Messier441986–87
Single Game
1Mike Donnelly51985–86Ohio State
Tom Ross51973–74Notre Dame
Don Thompson51969–70Michigan
Bob Doyle51960–61Ohio

Olympians

This is a list of Michigan State alumni were a part of an Olympic team.[40]

NamePositionMichigan State TenureTeamYearFinish
Wing 1951–1955 ,
Left wing1954–1958
Right wing1964–1967 6th
Defenseman 1966–1967
Defenseman 1980–1983, 1984–1985 7th
Center 1984–1988 7th
Left wing1985–1987 12th, 9th, 11th
Defenseman 1988–1991
Right wing1988–1992
Center 1988–1989 4th
Left wing1995–1999
Defenseman 1999–2003 8th
Center 1993–1997 11th
Goaltender 1987–1991 11th
Goaltender 1999–2002 , 4th
Defenseman 2001–2003 ,
Center 2001–2005 7th
Left wing2001–2004 12th

Players

Current roster

As of August 20, 2024.[41]

Spartans in the NHL

As of July 1, 2024.

= NHL All-Star team= NHL All-Star[42] = NHL All-Star and NHL All-Star team= Hall of Famers
PlayerPositionTeam(s)YearsGames
Justin AbdelkaderLeft wingDET2007–20207390
Bryan AdamsLeft wingATL1999–2001110
Mason AppletonCenterWPG, SEA2018–Present3290
Norm BarnesDefensemanPHI, HFD1976–19821560
David BoothLeft wingFLA, VAN, TOR, DET2006–20185300
Rod Brind'AmourCenterSTL, PHI, 1989–20101,4841
Jeff BrubakerLeft wingHFD, MTL, CGY, TOR, EDM, NYR, DET1979–19891780
Anson CarterCenterWSH, BOS, EDM, NYR,
LAK, VAN, CBJ, CAR
1996–20076740
Jake CheliosDefensemanDET2018–201950
Danton ColeRight wingWPG, TBL, NJD, NYI, CHI1989–19963180
Jim CumminsRight wingDET, PHI, TBL, CHI, PHO,
MTL, ANA, NYI, COL
1991–20045110
Jim CunninghamLeft wingPHI1977–197810
Nelson DebenedetDefensemanDET, PIT1973–1975460
Mike DonnellyLeft wingNYR, BUF, LAK, DAL, NYI1986–19974650
Bob EssensaGoaltenderWPG, DET, EDM, PHO, VAN, BUF1988–20024460
Brad FastDefensemanCAR2003–200410
Norm FosterGoaltenderBUF, EDM1990–1992130
Don GibsonDefensemanVAN1990–1991140
Brian GlennieDefensemanTOR, LAK1969–19795720
Derek GrantCenterOTT, CGY, BUF, NSH, ANA, PIT PHI2012–20234270
Steve GuollaCenterSJS, TBL, ATL, NJD1996–20032050
Adam HallRight wingNSH, NYR, MIN, PIT, TBL, CAR, PHI2001–20146820
Mark HamwayForwardNYI1984–1987530
Jeff HardingRight wingPHI1988–1990150
Shawn HeaphyCenterCGY1992–199310
Taro HiroseForwardDET2019–2023600
Shawn HorcoffCenterEDM, DAL, ANA2000–20161,0080
Andrew HutchinsonDefensemanNSH, , TBL, DAL, PIT2003–20111401
Joshua JacobsGoaltenderNJD2018–202030
Bob JohnsonGoaltenderSTL, PIT1972–1975240
Duncan KeithDefenseman, EDM2005–20221,2563
Tim KennedyLeft wingBUF, FLA, SJS, PHO2008–20141620
Dale KrentzForwardDET1986–1989300
Torey KrugDefensemanBOS, STL2011–Present7780
Ken LeiterDefensemanNYI, MNS1984–19901430
Bryan LergForwardSJS2014–201680
John-Michael LilesDefensemanCOL, TOR, CAR, BOS2003–20178360
Chris LuongoDefensemanDET, OTT, NYI1990–19962180
PlayerPositionTeam(s)YearsGames
Mackenzie MacEachernLeft wingSTL, CAR2018–Present1230
Dan McFallDefensemanWPG1984–198690
Brian McReynoldsCenterWPG, NYR, LAK1989–1994300
Donald McSweenDefensemanBUF, ANA1987–1996470
Joby MessierDefensemanNYR1992–1995250
Mitch MessierRight wingMNS1987–1991200
Drew MillerLeft wing, TBL, DET2006–20175711
Kelly MillerLeft wingNYR, WAS1984–19991,0480
Kevin MillerRight wingNYR, DET, WAS, STL, SJS,
PIT, CHI, NYI, OTT
1988–20046200
Kip MillerCenterQUE, MNS, SJS, NYI, PIT, ANA, WAS1990–20044490
Ryan MillerGoaltenderBUF, STL, VAN, ANA2002–20217960
Chris MuellerCenterNSH, DAL, NYR2010–2015530
Joe MurphyRight wingDET, , CHI, STL, SJS, BOS, WSH1986–20017791
Pat MurrayLeft wingPHI1990–1992250
Rem MurrayLeft wingEDM, NYR, NSH1996–20065600
Jason MuzzattiGoaltenderCGY, HFD, NYR, SJS1993–1998620
Dwayne NorrisRight wingQUE, ANA1993–1996200
Jeff ParkerRight wingBUF, HFD1986–19911410
Jeff PetryDefensemanEDM, MTL, PIT, DET2010–Present9370
Lyle PhairLeft wingLAK1985–1988480
Corey PotterDefensemanNYR, PIT, EDM, BOS, CGY, NSH2008–20161300
Bobby ReynoldsLeft wingTOR1989–199070
Doug RobertsRight wingDET, OAK, BOS1965–19754190
Ron ScottLeft wingNYR, LAK1983–1990280
Craig SimpsonLeft wingPIT, , BUF1985–19956342
Jim SlaterCenterATL, WIN2005–20155840
Bryan SmolinskiCenterBOS, PIT, NYI, LAK, OTT, CHI, VAN, MTL1990–20041,0560
Dean SylvesterRight wingBUF, ATL1999–2001960
Tom TilleyDefensemanSTL1988–19941740
Corey TroppRight wingBUF, CBJ, ANA2011–20171490
Tony TuzzolinoCenterANA, NYR, BOS1997–200290
Doug VolmarRight wingDET, LAK1969–1973620
Jim WattGoaltenderSTL1973–197410
Mike WattLeft wingEDM, NYI, NSH, CAR1997–20031570
Mike WeaverDefensemanATL, LAK, VAN, STL, FLA, MTL2001–20156330
Peter WhiteCenterEDM, TOR, PHI, CHI1993–20042200
Neil WilkinsonDefensemanMNS, SJS, CHI, WPG, PIT1989–19994600
Jason WoolleyDefensemanWSH, FLA, PIT, BUF, DET1991–20067180
Mike YorkCenterNYR, EDM, NYI, PHI, PHO, CBJ1999–20095790

Source:[43]

Program records

The following are the Michigan State school records. Statistics are accurate as of the 2010–11 season.[2]

Note: Italics indicate a player is still an active Spartan.

Career

Season

Players

Team (since 1950)

Game

Player

Team

See also

Michigan State Spartans

Notes and References

  1. Web site: U.S. College Hockey Online. Michigan State Men's Hockey Team History. 1996–2011. March 23, 2011.
  2. Web site: Spartan Hockey Media Guide 2010-11. Michigan State University. 2010. March 23, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110506195042/http://www.msuspartans.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/msu/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/10-full-mg. May 6, 2011. dead.
  3. Book: Prisuta, Mike. Awe Inspiring: The Storied History of Spartan Hockey. Visions Sports Management Group, Inc.. 1997. 0-9658933-1-6. East Lansing, MI. 6.
  4. Web site: Western Collegiate Hockey Association. WCHA History Tradition and Success. 2010. December 12, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101130075222/http://wcha.com/men/wcha/history.php. November 30, 2010. dead.
  5. Web site: Inside College Hockey. 1959 NCAA Tournament. April 2002. March 23, 2011.
  6. Web site: Inside College Hockey. 1966 NCAA Tournament. April 2002. March 23, 2011.
  7. Web site: Inside College Hockey. 1986 NCAA Tournament. April 2002. March 23, 2011.
  8. Web site: Inside College Hockey. 2001 NCAA Tournament. April 2002. March 23, 2011.
  9. Hockey’s Book of Firsts, p.72, James Duplacey, JG Press,
  10. Web site: 2008-03-31. Hobey Baker Memorial Award . MSU Spartans .
  11. Web site: Inside College Hockey. 2004 NCAA Tournament. April 2002. March 23, 2011.
  12. Web site: Inside College Hockey. 2006 NCAA Tournament. April 2002. March 23, 2011.
  13. Web site: Inside College Hockey. 2007 NCAA Tournament. April 2002. March 23, 2011.
  14. Web site: 2008-03-31. Last-Minute Tally Hands Spartans Third NCAA Title Michigan State scores three times in the final period to beat Boston College 3-1. MSU Spartans. 2007-04-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20070914001614/http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-hockey/recaps/040707aaa.html. 2007-09-14. dead.
  15. News: Florek. Michael. College Hockey News. Teams Ready for Big Chill at Big House. December 9, 2010. March 23, 2011.
  16. News: Rennie. Matt. The Washington Post. Hockey attendance record falls at Big Chill in the Big House as Michigan beats Michigan State, 5-0. December 12, 2010. March 23, 2011.
  17. News: Staff. ESPN. MSU hockey coach Rick Comley to retire. January 25, 2011. March 23, 2011.
  18. Web site: Gholston. Sandy. Mlive.com. Anastos to the Detroit News: Penn State 'very attractive' to the CCHA. August 10, 2010. September 13, 2010.
  19. News: Staff. USCHO. Big Ten confirms plan to sponsor hockey starting in 2013–14 season. March 21, 2011. March 21, 2011.
  20. News: Staff. ESPN. Tom Anastos to coach Spartans hockey. March 23, 2011. March 23, 2011.
  21. Web site: Timothy. Boger. U.S. College Hockey Online. Reimer’s OT goal caps Michigan State comeback win against Air Force. October 8, 2011. May 31, 2012.
  22. Web site: Vic. Brotzman. U.S. College Hockey Online. Smith has three-point game to lead Miami to sweep of Michigan State. March 10, 2012. May 31, 2012.
  23. News: Drew. David. Kalamazoo Gazette. MLive.com. NCAA hockey tournament preview: Michigan State vs. Union. March 21, 2012. May 31, 2012.
  24. News: Drew. David. Kalamazoo Gazette. MLive.com. Michigan State hockey bows out of NCAA tournament after 3-1 loss to Union. March 23, 2012. May 31, 2012.
  25. Web site: Tom Anastos resigns as Michigan State hockey coach. Charboneau . Matt. March 21, 2017. The Detroit News. May 5, 2016.
  26. Web site: Report: Michigan State hires Danton Cole as hockey coach. Sipple. George. April 10, 2017. USA Today. May 5, 2016.
  27. Web site: Big Ten 2017-18 Standings - College Hockey, Inc.. 2020-11-18. collegehockeyinc.com.
  28. Web site: Big Ten 2018-19 Standings - College Hockey, Inc.. 2020-11-18. collegehockeyinc.com.
  29. Web site: Big Ten 2019-20 Standings - College Hockey, Inc.. 2020-11-18. collegehockeyinc.com.
  30. Web site: NCAA drought at 10 years, Michigan State fires hockey coach Danton Cole . . Tony . Paul . April 12, 2022 . May 10, 2022.
  31. Web site: Adam Nightingale hired as the next Michigan State hockey coach . . Nathaniel . Bott . May 3, 2022 . May 10, 2022.
  32. Web site: Michigan State Spartans . Michigan State Hockey 2018-19 Media Guide . February 27, 2019.
  33. Web site: Michigan State Spartans . Michigan State Hockey 2018-19 Media Guide . February 27, 2019.
  34. Web site: United States Hockey Hall of Fame . Hockey Central.co.uk. 2010-04-21.
  35. Web site: Michigan State Spartans . Michigan State Hockey 2018-19 Media Guide . February 27, 2019.
  36. Web site: Michigan State Hockey 2021-22 Media Guide . January 30, 2022. Michigan State.
  37. Web site: Peter White. hockeydb.com.
  38. Web site: Rem Murray. hockeydb.com.
  39. Web site: Dwayne Norris. hockeydb.com.
  40. Web site: Michigan State Spartans . Michigan State Hockey 2018-19 Media Guide . February 27, 2019.
  41. Web site: 2024–25 Men's Ice Hockey Roster . Michigan State Official Athletic Site . August 29, 2017.
  42. Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  43. Web site: Hockey DB . Alumni report for Michigan State University . March 1, 2019.