{"id":210601,"date":"2026-05-13T22:06:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T22:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/current-and-former-msu-hockey-players-to-compete-in-world-championship-the-state-news\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T22:06:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T22:06:57","slug":"current-and-former-msu-hockey-players-to-compete-in-world-championship-the-state-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/current-and-former-msu-hockey-players-to-compete-in-world-championship-the-state-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Current and former MSU hockey players to compete in World Championship – The State News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The U.S. men\u2019s national team brought back gold medals at the 2025 IIHF Men\u2019s World Championship last summer \u2014 and so did Michigan State hockey coach Adam Nightingale and former forward Isaac Howard. <\/span>
Four recent and current Spartans will be competing in the tournament this year: Isaac Howard (USA), sophomore forward Ryker Lee (USA), former forward Porter Martone (Canada) and former defenseman Maxim \u0160trb\u00e1k (Slovakia). Lee and Howard were named to the U.S. preliminary roster<\/a> on May 7 and Martone was added to Canada\u2019s roster early on Tuesday, following the conclusion of the Philadelphia Flyers\u2019 season. <\/span>
The tournament takes place May 15-31 in Zurich, Switzerland. The preliminary round is split into two groups of eight countries, with the U.S. in Group A<\/a> and Canada and Slovakia in Group B. All U.S. games will be broadcast on NHL Network.<\/span>
Team USA: Howard and Lee<\/span> <\/b>
The U.S. won its first gold medal since 1933 last summer, being just its second gold medal ever. The team is looking to repeat, but its roster looks drastically different. <\/span>
Howard is one of two returners, as previous players turned down their invitations or are still competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The upcoming tournament will be Howard\u2019s seventh event representing the U.S., including four medals.<\/span>
Howard<\/a> just completed his first professional hockey season, splitting time between the Edmonton Oilers (five points in 29 games) and its American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors (50 points in 47 games). Howard tallied one assist in four games last summer and was one of three NCAA athletes on the roster, just like Lee this tournament. <\/span>
Lee\u2019s addition to the U.S. roster follows a strong freshman season at MSU. He finished with 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 35 games, trailing only the first line in scoring. Lee showed up in high-pressure situations, like the NCAA Tournament, and improved as a defender. <\/span>
The 19-year old is the youngest on the roster, but scored the team\u2019s first goal on Sunday when the U.S. defeated Germany 5-2 in an exhibition. It was a quick backhand shot into the net\u2019s top corner, highlighting the craft Lee demonstrated all season at MSU.<\/span>
This is Lee\u2019s fourth international event representing USA Hockey since 2023. He most recently played on the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team during MSU\u2019s season, scoring two game-tying goals in five games at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships. <\/span>
Lee was a 2025 first-round selection of the Nashville Predators and the tournament allows him to compete alongside defenseman Ryan Ufko, another player in the Predators\u2019 system.<\/span>
Team USA is led by eight coaches \u2014 seven from the NHL along with University of Michigan head coach Brandon Naurato. Two members of the Predators coaching staff, assistant coach Darby Hendrickson and video coach Lawrence Feloney are also on staff, giving Lee more experience working with the Predators\u2019 organization. <\/span>
Team Canada: Martone<\/span> <\/b>
Unlike the U.S., Canada\u2019s roster holds 12 players who have previously competed at the Men\u2019s World Championships, including Martone who was a last-minute addition to last year\u2019s roster. <\/span>
Martone has represented Canada on other occasions and captained Canada\u2019s National Junior Team at the 2026 IIHF WJC. He brings experience and instinct in all aspects of his game and joins a group of veterans and youth, captained by fellow 19-year old Macklin Celebrini.<\/span>
Martone<\/a> had one of the most seamless transitions to the NHL in recent history, which mirrored his transition to the NCAA from the Canadian Hockey League. He set freshman records and led MSU with 50 points in 35 games during the 2025-26 season, getting faster and stronger.<\/span>
Martone joined the Flyers immediately following MSU\u2019s season and made a direct impact. He put up 10 points in nine regular season games, helping the Flyers clinch a playoff spot. <\/span>
Martone then posted five points in 10 postseason games, including two game-winning goals to defeat the Flyers\u2019 in-state rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and advance in the playoffs. The Flyers were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, May 9. <\/span>
Martone told the media<\/a> he will return to East Lansing for some part of the summer when he is not competing in the World Championship or training in Philadelphia. <\/span>
Team Slovakia: \u0160trb\u00e1k<\/b>
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