MSU's Krug Makes NHL Debut with Bruins

Torey Krug became the latest Michigan State Spartan to play in the National Hockey League when he made his pro debut last night at TD Bank Garden in Boston. He fired two shots on goal and also blocked an opposing attempt, while wearing jersey No. 47, in the Bruins’ 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Krug, a 5’9”, 180-pound defenseman from Livonia, Mich., signed with Boston as a free agent on March 25, just two days after MSU was eliminated from the 2012 NCAA Tournament by Union College at the East Regional in Bridgeport, Conn. He assisted on the Spartans’ lone goal in the 3-1 setback for the final point of his collegiate career.

In three seasons in East Lansing, Krug scored 26 goals and added 57 assists for 83 points in 114 appearances. He also tallied 15 power-play goals and seven game-winning goals, and collected a total of 175 penalty minutes.

He led all Central Collegiate Hockey Association defenseman in scoring this season with 12-22—34 points, which also tied him for the overall conference scoring lead, making him the first CCHA blueliner ever to do so and also earning him CCHA Player of the Year accolades.

An All-CCHA Rookie Team selection as a freshman in 2009-10, Krug, 20, was an All-CCHA First Team choice as both a sophomore and a junior, and also served as team captain his final two seasons. As a junior, he was one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top college hockey player in the country in leading MSU to a 19-6-4 record (14-11-3 CCHA). He was also tabbed as the CCHA’s Best Offensive Defenseman his last two seasons.

Defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston is 47-29-4 overall (98 points), and has locked up the second seed in the NHL’s Eastern Conference heading into the start of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs next week. Krug will not be eligible for the postseason because of his late signing, according to the Observer & Eccentric’s web site.