Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: College Hockey Inc.
Four Spartans Selected in First Round of 2026 NHL Draft
6/26/2026 11:59:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State hockey had four incoming freshmen selected in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday night. Defenseman Chase Reid (Seattle; 1-7), forward Nikita Klepov (Anaheim; 1-15), forward Ethan Belchetz (Utah; 1-17) and forward Jack Hextall (Calgary; 1-30) each saw their lifelong dreams come true at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Reid was chosen by the Seattle Kraken with the seventh pick of the first round on Friday night, becoming the first player in Michigan State hockey history to be selected by Seattle. An incoming defenseman from Chesterfield, Mich., Reid tallied 48 points (18g-30a) in 45 games for the Soo Greyhounds in 2025-26 and posted four points (2g-2a) in five games for Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships.
Klepov was picked 15th overall by the Anaheim Ducks after the Ducks made a move up in the draft to snag him. Klepov's 97 points (37g-60a) led all players in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last season, enough to earn him OHL Rookie of the Year and OHL First All-Star Team honors. Klepov was just the third player all-time to lead the OHL in scoring and win Rookie of the Year.
Continuing the night of firsts, the Utah Mammoth jumped two spots in the draft to 17th overall, making Belchetz the first Spartan to be drafted by Utah. Belchetz collected 59 points (34g-25a) and had a +19 rating in 57 OHL games last season, finishing fourth in the league in points. A true power forward, Belchetz helped Team Canada to a bronze medal at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Hextall became the fourth Spartan selected in 2026 when the Calgary Flames chose him with the 30th pick. In 58 games for the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms in 2025-26, Hextall recorded 58 points (20g-38a) and was named to the All-USHL Third Team and appeared in the 2026 Chipotle All-Star game. Hextall won gold with Team USA at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Reid was chosen by the Seattle Kraken with the seventh pick of the first round on Friday night, becoming the first player in Michigan State hockey history to be selected by Seattle. An incoming defenseman from Chesterfield, Mich., Reid tallied 48 points (18g-30a) in 45 games for the Soo Greyhounds in 2025-26 and posted four points (2g-2a) in five games for Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships.
Incoming freshman defenseman Chase Reid is headed to Seattle with the 7th overall pick! pic.twitter.com/3hXdQvw50X
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) June 27, 2026
Klepov was picked 15th overall by the Anaheim Ducks after the Ducks made a move up in the draft to snag him. Klepov's 97 points (37g-60a) led all players in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last season, enough to earn him OHL Rookie of the Year and OHL First All-Star Team honors. Klepov was just the third player all-time to lead the OHL in scoring and win Rookie of the Year.
Freshman forward Nikita Klepov is our second selection of the first round! He's headed to the Anaheim Ducks with the 15th overall selection! pic.twitter.com/lqcTyz9MoW
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) June 27, 2026
Continuing the night of firsts, the Utah Mammoth jumped two spots in the draft to 17th overall, making Belchetz the first Spartan to be drafted by Utah. Belchetz collected 59 points (34g-25a) and had a +19 rating in 57 OHL games last season, finishing fourth in the league in points. A true power forward, Belchetz helped Team Canada to a bronze medal at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Another Spartan selected in the first round!
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) June 27, 2026
Freshman forward Ethan Belchetz is selected 17th overall by the Utah Mammoth!
He's set to become the first Mammoth in program history. pic.twitter.com/3DRibA4YjR
Hextall became the fourth Spartan selected in 2026 when the Calgary Flames chose him with the 30th pick. In 58 games for the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms in 2025-26, Hextall recorded 58 points (20g-38a) and was named to the All-USHL Third Team and appeared in the 2026 Chipotle All-Star game. Hextall won gold with Team USA at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Make it four first round Spartans!
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) June 27, 2026
Jack Hextall is selected by the Calgary Flames with the 30th overall pick! pic.twitter.com/Dve3MMf2Gw
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