Spartans Add Three For Fall 2022

East Lansing, Mich. -- Head coach Danton Cole has announced the first three players of the class which will enroll at Michigan State in the fall of 2022 and become a part of the Spartan hockey program. The newest committed Spartans include defensemen Matt Basgall (Lake Forest, Ill.) and Daniel Russell (Williamsburg, Mich.), and forward Tiernan Shoudy (St. Clair, Mich.).

"We are excited with the beginning of our 2022 recruiting class," notes Cole, now in his fifth season behind the Spartan bench. "The first three young men all possess the attributes of leadership, intelligence and competitiveness that are necessary to be a Spartan. These three will play a large part in our future, and we welcome them to Michigan State University."

Currently, the Spartans are 8-5-1 and 3-3-0 in Big Ten play, and bring a four-game winning streak into their next Big Ten series at Penn State (Dec. 3-4).

Matt Basgall
Fr., D, 5-9, 179 Shoots: Right
Lake Forest, Ill./Omaha Lancers (USHL)

Strong defensive stick … Has excellent stick skills and on-ice awareness generates the breakout … Agility at the offensive blue line and smooth release creates offense … Plays in all special-teams situations.

Prior to MSU: Is in his third full season with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, and is serving as an alternate captain … Has appeared in more than 100 games in Omaha since the end of the 2018-19 campaign, with a 4-23—27 scoring line and taking just seven penalties … Named Omaha's Jack Forbes Defenseman of the Year in 2020-21 … Previously played in the Chicago Mission organization (2015-19), winning a pair of national championships in 2018 and 2019 … Attended Lake Forest High School.

Daniel Russell
Fr., D, 5-9, 153 Shoots: Left
Williamsburg, Mich./Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)

Relentless two-way forward … Plays fast and is constantly in pursuit of the puck … Strong stick around the net helps generate goals … Effective on the penalty kill.

Prior to MSU: Plays for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL and is now in his second full season … Alternate captain … Has 17 goals and 22 assists (39 points) in 66 games in Sioux Falls … Spent the 2019-20 campaign with the Minot Minotauros (NAHL), posting 21 goals and 13 assists with a +15 and 28 PIM's … Skated in 33 games for the Fargo Force in 2018-19, with a 2-5—7 line in 33 games … Product of the Fox Motors organization (2015-18) … Attended Traverse City Central High School.

Shoudy

Tiernan Shoudy
Fr., F, 5-9, 176 Shoots: Left
St. Clair, Michigan/ DesMoines Buccaneers (USHL)

High hockey IQ … 200-foot player who controls the pace of play, which allows him to set up linemates for scoring opportunities … Quick release and active stick around the net makes him active scoring threat … Shows willingness to go into the hard areas to score and prevent goals.

Prior to MSU: Serving as an alternate captain of the DesMoines Buccaneers (USHL) in 2021-22 … Spent all or part of the last four seasons in DesMoines, appearing in 50 games during the 2020-21 season with four goals, 17 assists, and 47 penalty minutes … Played 51 games for the Austin Bruins of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in 2019-20, where he had an 11-23—34 scoring line (fourth on the team) with 32 penalty minutes, and was a +9 … Earned a spot on the NAHL All-Rookie Second Team and also on the All-Central Division Team for the NAHL as well … Also a product of the Little Ceasar's program, where he was a part of the 2019 MAHA State Championship along with current Spartan freshman Tanner Kelly … Played for Kris Draper, who he credits with teaching him "how to play the right way" … Attended Port Huron Northern/Marysville High School, where he was a member of the Honor Society.

Related News

Players Mentioned

Tanner Kelly

Related Videos