Michigan State University has been a breeding ground for some of the best hockey players in the United States. Over the years, the university has produced several players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) and make a name for themselves in the sport. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the Michigan State hockey players who made it to the NHL.
1. Ryan Miller
Ryan Miller is a former Michigan State goaltender who played for the university between 1999 and 2002. During his time at Michigan State, Miller was a standout player and was named the CCHA Player of the Year twice. In 2002, Miller was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round of the NHL Entry Draft. He went on to play for the Sabres, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and Anaheim Ducks during his NHL career. Miller was a Vezina Trophy winner in 2010 and a silver medalist with Team USA at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
2. Duncan Keith
Duncan Keith is a former Michigan State defenseman who played for the university between 2001 and 2003. He was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Keith played for the Blackhawks throughout his NHL career, which spanned from 2005 to 2021. During his time in the league, he won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks and was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2015. Keith was also a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014.
3. Jeff Petry
Jeff Petry is a former Michigan State defenseman who played for the university between 2007 and 2010. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Petry played for the Oilers between 2010 and 2015 before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens, where he has played since. Petry has established himself as a top defenseman in the league and has been selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game twice.
Torey Krug is a former Michigan State defenseman who played for the university between 2009 and 2012. He was not selected in the NHL Entry Draft but signed with the Boston Bruins as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Krug played for the Bruins from 2012 to 2020 before signing with the St. Louis Blues. During his time in the league, Krug has established himself as a top offensive defenseman and has been selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game once.
5. Justin Abdelkader
Justin Abdelkader is a former Michigan State forward who played for the university between 2005 and 2008. He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Abdelkader played for the Red Wings from 2008 to 2019 before being traded to the Nashville Predators. During his time in the league, he established himself as a physical forward who could contribute offensively. Abdelkader was also a member of the United States team that won a bronze medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.
Conclusion
Michigan State University has a rich history of producing talented hockey players who have gone on to excel in the NHL. The players mentioned above are just a few of the many who have made the university proud. They have shown that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. It will be interesting to see which Michigan State players will make it to the NHL in the future and continue to carry on the university's legacy.
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