Two seasons ago, Michigan State forward Isaac Howard won the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best player in college hockey.
Howard was the third Spartans to ever win the award and is now a key part of the Edmonton Oilers’ future.
MSU may have found another player in the mold of Howard in incoming freshman forward Nikita Klepov, who many believe will be a first-round pick in the NHL draft June 26-27 in Buffalo.
Klepov, a 6-foot-1, 181-pound left wing, dominiated in his lone season in the Ontario Hockey League with the Saginaw Spirit with 37 goals and 97 points in just 37 games.
“I think he’s going to be a really good college hockey player, and I don’t think his game is too dissimilar from (Howard) where he’s a high-skill IQ guy and a good goal scorer,” said Corey Pronman, senior prospects writer and analyst for The Athletic. “Klepov will go to the net, make plays with pace and has a more direct type of offense with some high-end skill.”
Klepov committed to the Spartans while playing in his one season in the United States Hockey League with the Sioux City Musketeers in 2024-25 when he had 12 goals and 19 assists in 59 games during the 2024-2025 season.
But it was this past season in Saginaw when he opened the eyes of NHL scouts. Klepov, who was born in Florida but grew up mostly in Russia, was the OHL Rookie of the Year and was a finalist for the OHL Player of the Year. He’s ranked eighth among North American skaters by NHL Central scouting.
And now, with the NCAA becoming regarded as the best step for development before the NHL, Klepov will suit up with MSU this season rather than return for another season in Saginaw.
“When you’re a first-round type talent at 18 years old, would you want to play against 16-18-year olds in the CHL or players from 20-23 at the NCAA level with world-class facilities and strength and conditioning coaches,” College Hockey Inc.’s Sean Hogan said. “That’s a huge part of it for some of these players who have a lot of success in the CHL but want to take that next step in preparing them for the NHL.”
Klepov will get that world-class feel with MSU’s modern facilities and renowned strength coach Will Morlock, who has helped transform a number of players under coach Adam Nightingale into pro-ready players.
But first up is the draft this weekend when Klepov will find out where he’s headed down the road after his time at MSU is over.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU’s expected 1st-round NHL pick Nikita Klepov draws Isaac Howard comparisons
Reporting by Nathaniel Bott, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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By Nathaniel Bott, Lansing State Journal | USA TODAY Network
