Michigan State Hockey: 4 Spartans named to World Junior rosters

The Michigan State hockey contingency will be in Sweden representing their countries. Which Spartans have been named to World Junior rosters?

While Michigan State hockey is on its much deserved holiday break, not all Spartan players will be off the ice. It was officially announced that four Spartan players were named to represent their countries in next week’s World Junior Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Michigan State is sending four Spartans to World Juniors! The tournament runs from Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Sweden, but pre-tournament games begin TODAY.

Read more: https://t.co/K170VL5Ix2 pic.twitter.com/cmayymyVzw

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) December 19, 2023

Four Spartan players will be representing three national U-20 teams this year. They are winger Tommi Männistö who will represent Finland, defenseman Maxim Štrbák representing Slovakia, winger Isaac Howard, and goalie Trey Augustine who will represent the US. Štrbák will be representing Slovakia for the third time. For the US, Trey Augustine will make his second appearance between the pipes.

While not the first time Spartan players have represented at the World Juniors, it is the first time we’ve seen active Michigan State hockey players play at the Worlds. Per MSU’s website, the last time an active Spartan played in the tournament was in 2007 when Justin Abdelkader suited up for Team USA. This also marks the first time MSU has had multiple players at the tournament since 2004. That team saw David Booth, Corey Potter, and Dominic Vicari all playing.

As in most years, the United States and Canada are expected to fair well at the tournament. Host country Sweden also appears to have a very talented roster and can make some noise. The US roster alone consists of 23 players (out of 25 total on roster) who are already NHL draft picks. The two that are not are draft eligible this year.

There are some state of Michigan connections on Team USA as well that hockey fans may enjoy. Obviously with Isaac and Trey playing for MSU, that is fun to watch. Trey also being a draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings will give him some more attention from Michigan viewers. Outside of that, forward Gavin Hayes plays full time for the OHL’s Flint Firebirds. The school down the road also supplied four players to Team USA including 2023 first-round pick Oliver Moore.

Those looking to support our Spartans or just Team USA in general can check out World Junior Championship coverage on TV starting Dec. 26 on NHL Network.

Good luck, Isaac and Trey.