Michigan State Hockey: Pro signing roundup post-2022-23

A few former Michigan State hockey players are off to the pros following the Spartans’ promising 2022-23 season.

It is the end of another Michigan State hockey season, and after what most would call the Spartans’ season “pleasantly surprising,” it’s that time where some players are offered pro contracts, especially if they are drafted.

Here are the Spartans that are making the leap to the next level:

Dylan St. Cyr: Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) (Pro tryout)

After transferring from Quinnipiac University, the Northville, Mich., native won the starting job in possibly the most underrated transfer of the 2022 offseason. Posting a .915 save percentage and being a big part of the Spartans’ jump forward this season, his efforts were enough to earn him a spot on his hometown team’s minor league affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Dylan got a chance to join many Spartans including Taro Hirose and John Lethemon, another Northville bred goalie. Dylan got a chance to play the later half of a game in the waning moments of the AHL season, he stopped all seven shots he faced.

Dylan St. Cyr ? Professional Debut #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/tRqQaqFhd2

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) April 1, 2023

Cole Krygier (A): LA Kings/Ontario Reign (NHL/AHL) (Draft signing)

Being drafted in the seventh round of the NHL draft is normally no promise to ever play in the league, but the former MSU assistant captain took his next step in that dream. The 2018 draftee got a chance to join the LA Kings’ minor league club after a solid final season in East Lansing. Cole posted two points in eight games he got to play at the end of the 2023 season.

Miroslav Mucha (C): Swamp Rabbits (ECHL)

The Lake Superior State transfer from Slovakia certainly found a home in East Lansing this season with getting a captaincy and having a solid final collegiate season. Miro’s Spartan campaign earned him a pro contract in “The Jungle” with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. With another Dpartan entering the LA King’s farm system, it’ll be interesting to see what he can do to fight through a deep prospect pool.

Erik Middendorf : Adirondack Thunder (ECHL)

Former Chicago Steel captain and Scottsdale native Erik Middendorf joined a few Spartans in the Coast League following his two years with the Spartans. The Undrafted free agent joined a hat trick of MSU players signing on March 21. He when on to post three points in the final 11 games of the ECHL regular season including a goal the day after signing.

Jagger Joshua: WBS Penguins (AHL)

Roughly a week before his 24th birthday, the man hailing from Dearborn, Mich., signed a two-year AHL deal with the Penguins of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. After putting up a 24-point final college campaign Jagger joined the Baby Penguins for the end of the 2023 AHL season.

Michael Underwood: Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Finishing with the first Spartan to sign his pro deal this season, this Bloomfield Hills product was a Clarkston University transfer that spent his last college season with the Spartans. Mike joined the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate for the end of their 2023 season and played three games.

Hopefully coach Night can use this class of pro Spartans as a showcase of what coming to East Lansing can bring any player considering the college route. As the MSU hockey rebuild had a somewhat promising season keeping the momentum high will be paramount in a sport with such ever changing rosters.