The state of Michigan was still well represented at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, New York, highlighting exactly what Michigan State hockey fans have to look forward to.
The draft began with the first round on Friday, June 26, with one metro Detroit native standing out and five total commits to Michigan State going in the first round (though only four have officially signed with the Spartans).
The most notable among the Michiganders is 2026-27 Spartans commit Chase Reid, who went at No. 7 overall to the Seattle Kraken. Reid is a native of Chesterfield and most recently played with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds (located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada).
But Michigan State wasn’t the only school in the state represented, with one Michigan commit drafted by the Detroit Red Wings.
Here is the roundup of all the Mitten State hockey talent drafted into the NHL.
D Chase Reid, No. 7 overall, Seattle Kraken (MSU)
Reid was expected by many draft experts to go in the top five, with many projecting him in the top three as the best defensive prospect in the draft.
But three defenders were selected immediately ahead of Reid, with the Michigander falling to No. 7 overall. Still, it’s a top-10 pick going to Michigan State next season as the Spartans look to retool for the 2026-27 season.
F Nikita Klepov, No. 15 overall, Anaheim Ducks (MSU)
The next Michigan State commit to go in the draft was the Florida-born forward Nikita Klepov, who was taken at No. 15 overall (formerly the Wings’ pick) by the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks traded forward Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues for two 2026 first-round picks, using the first one to draft Klepov.
F Ethan Belchetz, No. 17 overall, Utah Mammoth (MSU)
Much like the Ducks, the Utah Mammoth made a trade with the Los Angeles Kings to move up in the first round and drafted forward Ethan Belchetz at No. 17 overall. Belchetz has committed to play for Michigan State next season.
F J.P. Hurlbert, No 23 overall, Detroit Red Wings (U-M)
The Red Wings entered the night without a first-round pick, but remedied that with a trade with the Mammoth, sending goalie Sebastian Cossa to Utah for the No. 23 overall pick.
And with that pick, the Red Wings selected forward J.P. Hurlbert, a Michigan commit for the 2026-27 season. And after three future Spartans were selected, a future Wolverines came off the board.
F Jack Hextall, No 30 overall, Calgary Flames (MSU)
Forward Jack Hextall became the fourth Michigan State commit taken in the first round when the Calgary Flames made him the No. 30 overall pick. Hextall most recently played for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, scoring 20 goals and recording 38 assists in 59 games for the Phantoms in 2025-26.
D Tommy Bleyl, No 31 overall, Nashville Predators (MSU)
The Predators moved up in the draft to take defender Tommy Bleyl, a Michigan State commit (albeit an unsigned one) for the 2027-28 season.
Michigan State had, by far, the most NCAA commits selected in Friday’s first round, notably beating the rival Wolverines 5-to-1.
Need to catch up on the news during your lunch break? Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletter to get daily summaries of Detroit sports!
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State hockey commits dominate first round of 2026 NHL Draft
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
