With the 41st overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings selected hometown prospect Trey Augustine. The 6-foot-1, South Lyon native was the third of 26 goaltenders selected in the league’s annual event. He was a standout for HoneyBaked ‘05s — a group that also featured sixth-round pick, defenseman Zach Schulz — that won the 15O USA Hockey national championship in 2021. 

In September, Augustine announced his commitment to play for Michigan State University. He will join a Spartans roster this fall that features six NHL Draft picks. It’s also losing 37 of its 38 starts from goalies last season, with the graduation of Dylan St. Cyr. The starting job will certainly be up for grabs in ‘23-24 and Augustine is in line to compete for it. 

As for the Wings’ goalie landscape, they drafted a second goaltender with their sixth round pick as well, Rudy Guimond. Augustine and him were the fourth and fifth goaltenders drafted by the organization in general manager Steve Yzerman’s tenure. Detroit currently has four goaltenders under contract, however, Ville Husso is the only one with a long-term deal. He is entering the second year of a three-year deal. 

Sutter Muzzatti becomes first Biggby Hockey (Meijer) prospect to be selected in NHL Draft

In his final year of NHL Draft eligibility, 2003-born forward Sutter Muzzatti’s named was called in Nashville. The host team Predators made Muzzatti their ninth selection of the 2023 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-5, Okemos native and current forward for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) became a second-generation NHL draft pick. He follows in Jason Muzzatti’s footsteps, 35 years after dad was selected 21st overall by the Calgary Flames. 

Muzzatti becomes the first player in history from Biggby Hockey to be selected in the NHL Draft. He played for HoneyBaked during his 13U season before playing the next three seasons for then-Meijer Hockey out of Lansing. Muzzatti spent two seasons in the NAHL before committing to RPI, where he scored seven goals and 22 points in his freshman year.

Six players selected in 2023 NHL Draft with ties to MAHA

In addition to HoneyBaked teammates Augustine and Schulz, as well as Muzzatti, three other Michigan products were selected in the 2023 NHL Draft.

OHL defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz was selected in the third round by the Vancouver Canucks. He became the second player from the ‘04 Oakland Jr. Grizzlies to be drafted. Brzustewicz joins former teammate and 2022 NHL Draft pick Rutger McGroarty. Brzustewicz went the Canadian junior route while McGroarty opted for the NCAA path. Both end up being drafted by Western Canadian NHL teams.

Another second-generation prospect followed in his dad’s footsteps as the Philadelphia Flyers selected Cole Knuble in the fourth round. His father, Mike Knuble, played five seasons for the Flyers. Cole played the entirety of his youth hockey career for Fox Motors before spending two seasons in the USHL. He is set to be a freshman this fall for the University of Notre Dame.

Born in Brandon, Florida, with a hometown of Olmstead, Ohio, Matthew Mania played a good chunk of his youth hockey in the Great Lakes State. He spent two seasons for Belle Tire before playing his final season of youth hockey with the North Jersey Avalanche. Mania is set to play his third season in the OHL, already with 116 games of experience under his belt.