Pair of Michigan State hockey signees to participate in NHL Scouting Combine
The attention of the hockey world is on the Stanley Cup Finals, but the 2023 NHL Scouting Combine, which began Sunday, feels just as important for a pair of Michigan State hockey signees.
Michigan State defenseman Maxim Strbak (6-2, 205, Košice, Slovakia) and goaltender Trey Augustine (6-1, 179, South Lyon, Mich.) are among the 106 invitees to this year’s combine, located in Buffalo, N.Y. Strbak is one of 34 defensemen to receive an invite, while Augustine is one of just seven goalies to earn an invite.
Strbak played for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede last season. The Slovak defenseman finished the season with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 46 games played. Strbak also captained the Slovakia team at the 2023 U18 World Championship, where he tallied six assists in seven games.
Strbak also played for Slovakia in the 2023 World Junior Championship. Each nation’s roster is headlined by under-20 talent. The future Spartan played in five games during the event and registered three assists.
Augustine was the starting net minder for the United States Hockey National Team Development Program (US-NTDP). Featuring in 34 games – 33 with the under-18 squad – Augustine boasted a .926 save percentage with a 2.13 goals against average. The South Lyon, Mich., native saved 806 of the 870 shots on goal that he faced.
Like his future Spartan teammate, Augustine played in both the 2023 U18 World Championship and the 2023 World Junior Championship. The goaltender played in six games in the U18 World Championship. He finished with a .934 save percentage and a 1.61 goals against average. Augustine led the United States to a 6-0-0 record and a gold medal.
In the World Junior Championship, Augustine finished with a .891 save percentage. Augustine sustained a 2.85 goals against average in six games played. The United States finished third with a 4-1-0 record, taking home a bronze medal.
Both Michigan State signees are expected to be drafted in the early rounds the 2023 NHL Draft. Strbak is ranked No. 48 among North American skaters, according to NHL Central Scouting. Additionally, Augustine is the third-best North American goalie.
Michigan State hockey’s 2022 roster included just four NHL draft picks. Defenseman Cole Krygier (6-3, 205, Novi, Mich.) was drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Florida Panthers. His twin, defenseman Christian Krygier (6-3, 207, Novi, Mich.), was also drafted in 2018. Christian was selected No. 196 overall by the New York Islanders, five picks ahead of his brother.
With the Krygier twins graduating, the Spartans return just two NHL draft picks from last season’s roster. Junior defenseman David Gucciardi (6-1, 190, Toronto, Ont.) was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals. The highest draft pick of the four, sophomore defenseman Viktor Hurtig (6-6, 197, Avesta, Sweden), was picked in the sixth round by the New Jersey Devils in 2021.
Two of the Spartans’ five transfer portal additions this offseason were NHL draft selections. Former Miami (Ohio) forward Red Savage (5-11, 185, Scottsdale, Ariz.) was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. Additionally, Minnesota-Duluth transfer forward Isaac Howard (5-11, 182, Hudson, Wisc.) was a first round selection by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022.
With Savage and Howard, head coach Adam Nightingale and the Michigan State staff have prioritized early-round NHL-level talent this offseason to pair with returners like Gucciardi and Hurtig.
The 2023 NHL Draft will take place in Nashville, Tenn., at Bridgestone Arena. Round one will begin on June 28 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Rounds two through seven will take place on June 29. Day two will start at 11 a.m. ET on NHL Network.
