Michigan State captain wins Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
Michigan State captain, defenseman Matt Basgall has won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.
Michigan State hockey concluded its 2025-26 regular season, and after an early exit in the Big Ten Tournament, the team awaits its fate in the NCAA Tournament. Ahead of this weekend's Big Ten Tournament championship game, the conference released the recipients of its awards on Wednesday. The Spartans captain, Matt Basgall, in his final season wearing the green and white was honored with the biggest honor a defenseman can be given.
He was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year. In 35 games this season, Basgall tallied 3 goals and 15 assists, while sporting a +19 rating on the blueline. 🏒 Defensive Player of the Year 🏒 Matt Basgall is the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Hockey Defensive Player of the Year!
#B1GHockey x @MSU_Hockey pic. twitter. com/efXQpunmHI — Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) March 18, 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.
You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State captain wins Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year