Trey Augustine informs Red Wings that he’s returning to Michigan State

Some breaking news in the world of Michigan State hockey on Tuesday morning. It was confirmed early this morning that Michigan State goal-tending phenom Trey Augustine has not elected to turn pro this offseason and will be returning to East Lansing for one more year.

This was first confirmed by Mike McMahon of College Hockey News.

Trey Augustine has informed the Detroit Red Wings that he will return to Michigan State for the 2025-26 season. Augustine was drafted in the second round by Detroit in 2023 and has been one of the top goaltenders in the NCAA over the last two years.

— Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonCHN) April 1, 2025

This is fantastic news if you are a Spartan hockey fan. Less fantastic maybe for Red Wings or Grand Rapids Griffins fans. The assumption by most people was that this past season was going to be Augustine’s last in East Lansing. After that, he would turn pro and look to play in Grand Rapids next year.

That plan seems to be pushed back for a year now.

Augustine will come back and see the bulk of game play for Michigan State hockey. The Spartans are also welcoming in Columbus Blue Jackets fifth-round pick Melvin Strahl between the net as well. This makes sense as Michigan State’s backup goalie from this past season, Luca Di Pasquo, announced on Monday that he would enter the transfer portal.

The Spartan net will now have two future NHL players manning it for next season. The plan will most likely be to have Strahl take over in net for Augustine after he turns pro next year. Strahl is an accomplished goalie himself having played for Team Sweden in last year’s World Junior Championships.

As for Augustine, his return promptly puts the Spartans back to the front of the national championship talk heading in to next season. Him returning among other key pieces of this past team, while also welcoming in a loaded freshman recruiting class will have the Spartans once again be favorites to win the Big Ten and more. An absolute masterclass in roster construction is going on by Adam Nightingale and staff in East Lansing.

Let’s sit back and enjoy the ride, folks.

Welcome back to East Lansing, Trey. Go Green.