Lansing Sun

The Michigan State University (MSU) Spartan hockey team concluded its 2023-24 season with significant achievements, rekindling memories of past successes. Longtime season ticket holders remarked that the program "felt like the old days" as sellout crowds filled Munn Ice Arena. The Spartans secured both regular-season and Big Ten Tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament regional finals, marking their latest season finish since winning the national championship in 2007.

Michigan State's overall record for the season was 25-10-3, their highest number of victories since the 2007-08 campaign. They also achieved a 16-6-2 record in Big Ten conference games, which is their best performance since that same period. This year marked only the third time a team captured both regular and post-season crowns in Big Ten history.

MSU earned its first-ever Big Ten regular-season title with 52 points, a feat not accomplished since they led the CCHA in the 2000-01 campaign. Their success continued as they won their first-ever Big Ten Tournament title by defeating Ohio State and Michigan.

The Spartans welcomed over 110,000 attendees across 17 home games, placing them tenth nationally for attendance and sixth for average attendance per game. MSU sold out 21 consecutive home games against Big Ten opponents and played one of the toughest schedules among Division I programs.

Key highlights include sweeping No.1 Wisconsin in November and securing a victory over Michigan at Little Caesars Arena for the first time since its opening in 2018. Academically, MSU's hockey program posted its best-ever single-semester GPA during fall and spring semesters.

Adam Nightingale received recognition as a Spencer Penrose National Coach of the Year finalist and was named Big Ten Coach of the Year. Freshman defenseman Artyom Levshunov became an All-American second-team honoree and received several league accolades including Freshman of the Year.

Six Spartan players earned All-Big Ten honors this season, with notable performances from Trey Augustine who was a Goaltender of the Year finalist. At the IIHF World Junior Championship, MSU had four participants representing different nations, tying for second most from any school in participation numbers.

Augustine led his team to its most victories since 2007-08 while recording impressive personal statistics. The team's scoring depth was evident with ten players achieving over twenty points each this season.

MSU's power play unit ranked second in their conference and fifth nationally, while their penalty kill was effective at an 80% rate. The lineup included two freshmen goaltenders along with several young defensemen contributing to their successful run as one of college hockey's youngest teams.