NCAA: Meet the Spartans

The defending national champion Michigan State Spartans are off to another strong start thanks to their top line that is made-up of three promising NHL prospects Justin Abdelkader, Tim Crowder, and Tim Kennedy. Along with the top line, McKeen's also has notes on NHL draft picks Jeff Petry, Mike Ratchuk, Corey Tropp, Nick Sucharski and Ryan Turek.

Justin Abdelkader (Det), C, Michigan State

Big and fast two-way center that looks ready to turn pro .. purposeful skater with a long and powerful stride that gives him multiple gears of acceleration .. skilled with the puck and he utilizes his superior strength to overpower defenders down low .. protects the puck well to buy himself time to utilize his quickly released and heavy wristshot .. savvy and poised with the puck, as he's an understated playmaker in traffic .. committed two-way player that consistently makes strong defensive reads and has the mature work habits away from the puck of a seasoned veteran .. has taken his physical play to the next level this season, as he continues to add strength and complement that with a nastier physical edge .. ready for his next challenge.

Tim Crowder (Pit), RW, Michigan State

Big winger that makes up for his lack of speed with his soft hands and offensive instincts ..nimble skater for a player of his size that effectively keeps moving his feet to drive through checks, but he lacks explosiveness out of the gates and a third gear to get a step on the opposition .. adequate set-up man with the ability to make deft, touch passes through traffic, Crowder's standout offensive trait is his heavy wristshot that can put fear into the opposition's goaltender .. he is not quick but he has velvety hands and strong puck protection .. just okay defensively and while he can land some heavy checks at times, you wish he would do so more often .. improving his physical consistency, defensive play, and speed are still things this skilled prospect needs to accomplish before making the NHL.

Tim Kennedy (Buf), LW, Michigan State

Highly skilled and quick winger with exceptional hockey sense that has developed the reputation as a big game player .. effortless skater that just flies around the ice and darts his way through traffic with ease .. possesses velvety hands and he skates so well with the puck that he is slippery in traffic and dangerous one-on-one in the open ice .. creative playmaker that is almost unselfish to a fault .. smart player that either has or is around the puck every time he is on the ice .. very small and light on his feet but he never hesitates to involve himself in traffic areas .. another underrated player in the Sabres system that should make an NHL impact down the road.

Jeff Petry (Edm), D, Michigan State

Rangy two-way defenseman with good skill and mobility .. pretty skater for a big kid with nimble and quick feet that give him great all-compass mobility .. covers up a lot of ice in just a few strides and he skates the puck up the ice well thanks to his soft hands and condor-like wingspan that allows him to elude the oncoming forecheck .. likes to jump and involve himself offensively, as he moves the puck well and does a good job getting his quick shot on net .. inconsistent defensively so far in his freshman season, Petry uses his mobility to be all over the ice and effectively control his gaps off the rush, however he needs to be stronger in front of his net and is guilty of getting caught out of position at times sacrificing his defensive assignments for offense .. seeing icetime in all situations and remains a prized prospect in the Oilers system.

Mike Ratchuk (Phi), D, Michigan State

Proactive and highly aggressive puck rushing defenseman with exceptional speed .. phenomenal skater with a commanding stride that stimulates his outstanding top gear .. uses his superior top-end speed well to lead the offensive rush and to instantly recover if he is caught up ice .. never hesitates to jump and he is dangerous off the rush thanks to his intrinsic offensive instincts and silky-soft hands .. works the point well, as he moves the puck quickly and creatively while owning a quick shot that he can pick corners with from the top of the slot .. smallish defenseman that still leaves much to be desired defensively, as he's fragile in front of his own net, makes poor defensive reads, and gets caught up the ice too often .. he is much better this season and definitely earned his roster spot at the World Juniors for Team USA.

Corey Tropp (Buf), RW, Michigan State

Gritty winger with good in-close puck control and improving play away from the puck .. lacks quickness and top-end speed, as he is a sluggish skater but he helps mask this issue by never ceasing to move his feet .. his ability to maintain possession and create in heavy traffic is his standout quality .. Tropp goes hard to the net and is one of the best in terms of manufacturing offense in congested areas around the net thanks to his exceptional in-close puck control .. combative winger that battles hard on the puck and can create turnovers with his hard work on the forecheck .. defensive game has improved this season, as he is now backchecking harder, taking deeper-lying-defensive-zone-positions, and is competing noticeably harder in his own zone .. not seeing much icetime in offensive situations but his defensive play is improving during his freshman season.

Nick Sucharski (CBJ), C Michigan State

Big and honest defensive center .. smart player with great hand skill and decent speed, but his skating continues to be his Achilles heel .. he is a hunched-over skater with slow feet that have a notable lack of burst .. competes adequately with a good motor in pursuit before finishing all of his checks .. at his best on the defensive side of the puck, as he makes savvy defensive reads, backchecks hard, and is utilized in all key defensive situations for his ability to win faceoffs consistently .. his defensive play and size is his ticket but he must improve his speed and add an aggressive edge to take his game to the next level.

Ryan Turek (StL), D, Michigan State

Former center that has now been converted to defense full time, which does suite his game better .. displays good range, as he utilizes his strong stride well to jump and join the offensive attack as well as to cover up a lot of ice while defending .. fairly strong with a big frame that he uses well to be tough in front of his crease, neutralize his man along the wall, and to stand up his man at the blueline .. makes adequate defensive reads and is trusted on the penalty kill .. does not see the ice naturally and despite once being a forward, he lacks an offensive dimension to the game, as he struggles to make the first pass .. only a sophomore so there is still hope for him.