Michigan State's head coach Adam Nightingale, right, calls out to players as assistant coach Mike Towns looks on during hockey practice on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, at Munn Arena in East Lansing.
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale met with reporters Tuesday ahead of the Spartans’ Big Ten opener against Penn State, offering a candid look at his team’s mindset and development. Coming off a bye week, Nightingale said the focus has been on internal growth, especially for a young roster. “We got a lot of young guys that got to keep growing their game,” he said. “Our goal, we want to be better in two weeks than we were when we were up at Northern.” With conference play ramping up, he emphasized that the team’s progress over the past two weeks will be tested immediately.
One of the more consistent themes in Nightingale’s remarks was the importance of chemistry and emotional control. He kept line combinations relatively stable early in the season, believing that chemistry takes time and shouldn’t be disrupted without purpose. “There’s a difference between playing with emotion or playing emotional,” he said. “When we play emotional, we get in trouble.” As the Spartans prepare for a high-energy matchup, Nightingale wants his players focused on their own game, not the hype.
SOCIAL MEDIA
(CONTINUED) Asked about distractions like social media and outside noise, Nightingale didn’t shy away from the reality his players face. “There’s noise when you’re good, there’s noise when you’re bad, and neither one of them are good,” he said. He encourages his team to stay grounded and consistent, regardless of the opponent. “Every weekend’s big,” he added. “You want to be consistent, when we put our jersey on Friday night, your teammates should know exactly what they’re getting from you.”
Reflecting on the first month of the season, Nightingale pointed to improved execution and off-ice commitment as key areas of growth. “We’ve gotten better away from the puck,” he said. “We test our guys in the weight room.” He credited the team’s progress to lifestyle choices and a high level of buy-in from the players. With a young roster and a high ceiling, Nightingale believes the Spartans are ready for the challenge, and eager to show it.
