Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie ~ IMAGN IMAGES
EAST LANSING, June 5, 2025 ~ Cayden Lindstrom, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, has committed to Head Coach Adam Nightingale and the Michigan State Hockey program, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported Thursday morning.
After dealing with injuries for most of the season with the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers in the Canadian Hockey League, the 19-year-old center, who is ranked as the Columbus Blue Jacket’s best prospect, scored two goals and dished out two assists in four postseason matches.
Rather than opting to return to junior level competition, Lindstrom decided to join Hobey Baker winner and junior forward Isaac Howard in East Lansing, along with Detroit Red Wings sophomore goaltender prospect Trey Augustine. Augustine finished as a a Richter Award Finalist, which names the best goalie in Division 1 hockey.
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June 5, 2025 ~ Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz joins “‘JR Morning” to talk about welcoming J Batt as the new Athletic Director and the future of the biggest programs on campus, including Football, Men’s Basketball, and Hockey. Photo: Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
(CONTINUED) Lindstrom was able to transfer based on the NCAA allowing players from the CHL’s three junior leagues to become eligible for college. The change officially takes place in August 2025.
Lindstrom was blown away by the intensity of Nightingale’s practices, on top of the recent renovations to Munn Ice Arena.
MSU was upset in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament in a 4-3 loss to Cornell. With Lindstrom and the return of other key pieces, the goal is to make a deeper run into April 2026 and a third Big Ten regular season and tournament title in as many years.
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