Michigan State hockey duo selected in 2023 NHL Draft
Two Michigan State hockey signees heard their names called in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft on Thursday. The pair will join the Spartan program this winter for the upcoming 2023-24 season while the NHL teams that drafted them retain their pro rights for the future.
Goaltender Trey Augustine (6-1, 183, South Lyon, Mich.) was the first future Spartan to be chosen. The Detroit Red Wings selected Augustine with the 41st overall pick.
“Being able to finally get drafted and to hear your name get called, it’s kind of what you’ve been dreaming of and working for almost your whole hockey career,” Augustine said following the selection. “That relief off my back is pretty nice.”
“It’s pretty special to be able to share the moments with my family and friends,” Augustine continued. “Just kind of embrace it all together and just go along with my journey playing hockey.”
Not long after, defenseman Maxim Strbak (6-2, 198, Kosice, Slovakia) was selected 45th overall by the Buffalo Sabres.
“It’s just an incredible feeling to finally get your name called,” Strbak said. “I am just proud to be a Buffalo Sabre now and just excited for the future. It’s been a very fun process with my whole family. I think we really enjoyed our time and I think it’s a dream for me and my family.”
BACKGROUND
The two draftees will join the rest of their Michigan State teammates this fall and begin preparing for the upcoming season.
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Augustine spent last season with the United State National Team Development Program (US-NTDP). The netminder boasted a .925 save percentage 1.87 goals against average. Augustine played in four games at the IIHF U-18 Men’s World Championship, leading the United States to a gold medal at the event. Augustine also took home a bronze medal as the starting goalie for the United States at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. The future Spartan is the favorite to earn the starting goaltender job this winter.
Strbak featured in 46 games for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede last season, accumulating 18 points (5 goals, 13 assists). Like his Spartan counterpart, Strbak competed in the 2023 IIHF U-18 Men’s World Championship and World Junior Championship, representing Slovakia. Strbak was named captain during his time with the U-18 team, tallying six assists in seven games. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound defenseman played in five games at the World Junior Championship, collecting three assists.
“The journey starts now, and I am very excited,” Strbak stated.
Following the Sabres selection, Strbak was asked what he is looking forward to the most while playing at Michigan State this upcoming season.
“Everything, just the whole college experience,” Strbak said. “As a European, you don’t really get to experience this. When I went on my visit on the campus and saw everything, I am just very excited.”
Michigan State opens its 2023-24 hockey season at Munn Ice Arena on October 8. The Spartans will play host to in-state CCHA foe Lake Superior State.
