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Just 24 hours after Michigan State hockey released their roster for the 2026-27 season, a major shake up has taken place.
Incoming freshman Nikita Klepov will no longer be coming to Michigan State, instead, he has signed a three-year entry level contract with the Anaheim Ducks.
Klepov was the 15th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft by the Ducks out of the OHL's Saginaw Spirit, and while it was expected that he was going to play a year in East Lansing before going pro.
plans have changed.
SIGNED: Our 2026 first round pick (15th overall) Nikita Klepov has signed a three-year entry-level contract.
https://t.co/yfSvOCYK91 Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) July 25, 2026 According to multiple reports, Klepov is going to have to make the Ducks NHL roster, because he will not be AHL eligible this season, meaning its Anaheim or it is Saginaw for the forward.
The Spartans had just announced their roster yesterday and it included Klepov.
Told he thinks he can give making the Ducks roster a real go.
Contrary to some of what Ive seen out there, he wont be AHL eligible even under new rules.
So its NHL or Saginaw.
Big blow for MSU.
https://t.co/P81j1AjkPy Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) July 25, 2026 Contact/Follow us @ The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Incoming Michigan State hockey freshman signs ELC with Anaheim Ducks.