Two Michigan State hockey stars named to World Junior Classic rosters

As we rapidly approach the week of Christmas, if you’re an amateur hockey fan like myself, that can only mean one thing: World Junior Classic time is fast approaching. The annual tournament takes place shortly after Christmas each year and lasts until just after New Year’s. The 2025 edition happens to start on Dec. 26 and ends on Jan. 5. And Michigan State hockey will be represented.

Saturday was the day that rosters were finalized for the tournament.

When the news broke, two MSU Hockey players were officially named to represent their countries. Those two players are Trey Augustine representing the United States and Maxim Štrbák representing Slovakia. This marks Augustine’s third WJC tournament and Maxim’s fourth.

It's official – both Trey Augustine and Maxim Štrbák have officially been named to their nation's rosters for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships in Ottawa, Ontario!

Both are WJC veterans – Štrbák is now a four-time participant, and not only is Augustine making his third… pic.twitter.com/GOfqVVBiJl

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) December 21, 2024

Maxim has a goal and nine assists in his World Juniors career which consists of 14 games played. Augustine has also gotten his fair share of game experience in the tournament. He has played 10 games at the World Juniors. In those 10 games, he is 8-1-0 with a 2.20 goals against average, and a .911 save percentage. He was a focal point for the USA last year, while the Americans went on to win the gold medal in Sweden last January. He was awarded all-tournament honors last year as well. With this year’s selection, he becomes one of just 19 ever goalies for Team USA to make three WJC rosters.

Breakdown

Coincidentally enough, Saturday was the pre-tournament warm-up game for both teams and they play each other. That game took place on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET. After that, the teams head off to Canada in the next few days. The US opens tournament play on Dec. 26 at 2:30 p.m. ET against Germany. Slovakia plays on Dec. 27 at 1 p.m. against Switzerland. All WJC tournament games will be broadcast in the US on the NHL Network.

In the meantime, Michigan State hockey will miss the contributions from their sophomore standouts. Both players are current NHL draft picks (Trey for the Red Wings and Maxim for the Buffalo Sabres). Augustine is among the top-ranked goalies in all of college hockey in goals against, wins, and save percentage. He is a big reason the Spartans are currently ranked No. 1 in the country.

Štrbák has totaled nine points in 16 games on MSU’s top defensive pair. He also has thrown in 17 blocked shots on the season as well. Both players will be away from the Spartans while participating in the tournament. Thankfully for Michigan State hockey fans, the Spartans are on a bit of a break for the holidays. Their next games are Dec. 29-30 at the Great Lakes Invitational in Grand Rapids.

Once either team is eliminated from tournament play, they can rejoin the Spartans. When that will be is anyone’s guess. The Medal Round begins Jan. 2 so that is probably the earliest possible time. Unfortunately, if you’re a State fan, it may not be quickly. Both Slovakia and the US have talented teams and rank among the favorites in the tournament. I have the US winning the gold in my prediction which would also keep Augustine out of the game in Chicago at Wrigley Field.

Congratulations to both Trey and Maxim. Good luck in Ottawa and go green.