Spartans Add Best, Jallen For 2022-23 Season

East Lansing, Mich. Head coach Danton Cole has announced the addition of Minnesota products Gavin Best (Richfield, Minn.) and Justin Jallen (St. Paul, Minn.) to the Spartans roster for the 2022-23 season.
Best and Jallen join previous Spartan signees Matt Basgall (Lake Forest, Ill.), Daniel Russell (Williamsburg, Mich.), and forward Tiernan Shoudy (St. Clair, Mich.).

"Gavin and Justin will both add to our depth up front and scoring" said Cole. "Gavin uses his speed and smarts well to be an effective 200-foot player. Justin will join our program as a grad transfer from Brown, where he's been among his team's top scorers each year. Justin brings a veteran presence and will add leadership to our returning corps. We're looking forward to having them join us this summer to prepare for next season. We're excited about what we believe they can contribute to Spartan hockey and Michigan State University"

Gavin Best
Freshman, F, 6-2, 180 Shoots: Left
Richfield, Minn./MN Magicians (NAHL)

Prior MSU: Spent the last two seasons with the Minnesota Magicians (NAHL) … Currently owns a 19-33-52 scoring line in 53 games this season, good for second on the team in points and tied for first in assists … In 2020-21, he played 39 games and had a 4-12—15 scoring line … Played three seasons of high school hockey for the Blake School, earning All-Conference honors as a senior and helping the team to three conference championships and a third-place finish at the state championships in 2020, the highest-ever finish for Blake … Captained both the hockey and golf teams at Blake … Was a two-time All-Conference pick in golf, earning three conference championships and a team state title in 2017 … Finished eighth in the state as an individual in 2019 … All-State Academic Team in 2018 …

Personal: Son of Tom and Christine Best … Has one younger brother, Nate.

Justin Jallen
Graduate Student, F, 5-9, 178 Shoots: Left
St. Paul, Minn./Brown University

At Brown (2018-22): Served as assistant captain as a senior and earned Second Team All-Ivy honors … Over 94 career games, compiled 27 goals and 15 assists for 42 points with eight power play markers and three game-winners … As a senior, tied for the team lead with 10 goals and led the Bears with 17 points … Led his team as a sophomore with nine goals in 31 games …. Had eight goals and four assists as a freshman, ranking second on the team in goals.

Prior to College: Spent two seasons with the Northeast Generals of the North American Hockey League, where he totaled 47 points in 2017-18, posting 23 goals and 24 assists in 58 games played ... Played four seasons with St. Paul Academy in Minnesota, where he served as team captain and notched 42 points as a senior … Also played golf in high school, where he served as captain and was named team MVP.

Personal: Son of Mary Jane and Scott Jallen ... Has two sisters, Jessica and Ashley ... Leadership Award in high school.

Michigan State University Athletics

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