What has helped Michigan State hockey's resurgence is the immaculate recruiting of Coach Adam Nightingale. Nightingale's ability to pull in top NHL talent and develop said players in a limited timespan has been the greatest X-factor.
The Michigan State Spartans will be well-represented in the 2025 IIHF U20 World Junior Championships in Ottawa, Ontario. Michigan State goaltender Trey Augustine and defenseman Maxim Strbak will be participating for their respective countries.
The Buffalo Sabres have been stockpiling draft picks and high-end prospects for the better part of 15 years as they have been through multiple rebuilds and a 13-year playoff drought.