No. 1 ranked American-born recruit commits to Michigan State hockey

Michigan State hockey might just be back, folks. On Thursday, Adam Nightingale and the Spartans landed the No. 1 American-born recruit.

The momentum train continues to fly down the rails as Michigan State hockey landed the No. 1 American-born recruit for the 2024 class in Cullen Potter out of Hortonville, Wisc.

Reported by Puck Preps and ESPN’s Buccigross on Thursday, Cullen plans to join the Spartans following next season.

🚨 BREAKING 🚨 Our #1 ranked American 2007-born recruit Cullen Potter is officially off the board as he has committed to Michigan State. Potter will suit up for the U17 NTDP this season. The Spartans fantastic summer of recruiting continues. What a get. pic.twitter.com/7cxB5UDDWQ

— Puck Preps (@PuckPreps) September 21, 2023

Potter is a 16-year-old who has come screaming out of AAA hockey and is set to play for the USA under-17 national team this season. The young man took U16 AAA by storm, notching 83 points in 52 games last season. Making the jump from triple-A hockey straight into international play and skipping traditional juniors is a remarkable leap for any young man hoping to be a top draft pick in the NHL someday.

The young center will be playing the world’s best under-17 prospects and practicing with America’s finest every day with the USNTP. The USA’s development teams and programs are how America has sharply increased its NHL player output in the last 15 years.

This win for Michigan State hockey has layers to it. For starters, to ink this prospect over his native school and known hockey power Wisconsin is an unprecedented win for the program. Having that pull in areas where traditional hockey schools are well established is something you’d expect from any blue-blood football, basketball, or other program. Getting commitments from the top USA-born player for the class, the top goalie in the class, and projected top 10 NHL pick Artyom Levshunov (2023) adds up to the best offseason in MSU Hockey history.

When Potter is done with Team USA next season, expect him to have a monumental role in the Spartans’ 2024 campaign.