Michigan State hockey commit Trey Augustine gets drafted

US National Development Program product and Michigan State hockey signee Trey Augustine was selected 41st by the Red Wings.

When Adam Nightingale was hired as coach of Michigan State hockey, the hope was that he could use his connections with the US National Development Program and try to boost recruiting from within that program. His first class that is coming this year proved to do that. It was highlighted by the starting goalie of the USNTDP, Trey Augustine.

Augustine is coming to East Lansing this fall with a nice pedigree. He’s coming off a spectacular season in Plymouth and now is adding something else to his resume: NHL draftee.

With the 41st pick in the second round of the draft, Augustine was selected by the hometown Detroit Red Wings. Being from South Lyon, Mich., Augustine was staying home to go to college.

With the No. 41 pick (second round), the Detroit Red wings select goaltender Trey Augustine. pic.twitter.com/P4CQB8XQGs

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) June 29, 2023

It looks like he might have the chance to do that for his pro career, too. Being both a diehard Red Wings fan and Spartans fan, I must say I was pretty elated when Kris Draper announced the pick this afternoon.

Augustine posted a 2.13 goals against average last season. He also finished the season with 30 wins. Both stats are good for fourth all time in USNTDP history. His .926 save percentage slotted for second-best all time for a single season for the program.

Augustine is a very mature and level-headed prospect. His teammates call him “Pop”. That term of endearment is one that shows his maturity is recognized among his peers. He will look to bring that maturity to help stabilize the culture in East Lansing. Furthermore to give the Red Wings a potential safety net if things with prize goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa don’t go to plan.

Trey was widely known as one of the top two or three goaltending prospects coming into this draft. His stellar season at the NTDP last year really raised his status. That was cemented this past April when Augustine was the starting goalie for the US National Team at the U-18 World Championships. Trey was extremely solid through group play.

In the medal round, he played well, but when the gold medal game came around, he took his game up a notch. The US beat Sweden 3-2 and Trey made several spectacular saves to preserve that score. Overall in the World Championships, he finished 6-0 with a 1.61 goals against average and a .934 save percentage.

The USNTDP has widely served as a minor league team for the school down the road in past years. Michigan has had the upper hand in recruiting within the NTDP with Minnesota and Wisconsin occasionally serving as other options.

Now that Nightingale is in East Lansing, the hope is that will change. Augustine was a one-time Michigan commit. He references “The Nighty Effect” as the reason he was swayed to the Spartans. The chance to pair up with his former coach was all he needed to join the green and white. Now this fall, he will reunite with Nightingale and with all the experience of his banner year coming with him.

The sky could be the limit for his time in East Lansing.