Spartans formally announce the signings of five players to NLIs

msu_boxBy @MichaelCaples –

The Michigan State Spartans formally announced today that they have signed five players to National Letters of Intent for the 2015-16 season.

The Spartans will be adding three Michigan natives – Cody Milan (White Lake), Zach Osburn (Plymouth) and Brennan Sanford (East Lansing) – along with two out-of-state players in Mason Appleton (Green Bay, Wisc.) and Jerad Rosburg (Clarksville, Md.).

“We’re very excited about this class as all five players combine to address our future needs,” head coach Tom Anastos said. “It’s an excellent group. They all possess strong skating and puck skills and we really like the dynamics that they will bring to our team.”

All five players are currently playing in the USHL.

From the release:

Mason Appleton

Green Bay, Wis. • Tri-City Storm (USHL) • F • 6-2, 193 • DOB: 1/15/1996

NHL Entry Draft Eligible

Scouting Report: A play making center with the ability to finish … Makes people better with his ability to see the ice and distribute pucks … Possesses strong power-play skills … His size and compete level make him tough to play against and hard to defend … Has a reputation for making big plays at critical times, becoming a valuable member to very successful teams over his developing years.

Has a 5-2-7 scoring line and is plus-4 through 15 games with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL … Produced 60 points (26g, 34a) in just 23 regular-season games for Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay in 2013-14 … In five playoff games, he added 10 more points (4g, 6a) … Is a three-time Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association all-state honoree and was a finalist for player of the year last season … Scored the game-winning goal in the 2012 WIAA state championship game … In three seasons playing for Notre Dame Academy, he produced a 62-100-162 line.

 

Cody Milan

White Lake, Mich. • Tri-City Storm (USHL) • F • 6-1, 185 • DOB: 2/11/1996

NHL Entry Draft Eligible

Scouting Report: A winger who uses his skating, vision of the ice and puck skills to be a dangerous player … His offensive skill set and defensive responsibility make him a strong candidate to play on both the penalty kill and power play … Hard-working and physically mature player.

Has eight points (2g, 6a) through 15 games in playing with fellow signee Mason Appleton for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL … Played 34 games for the Sioux Falls Stampede in 2013-14, posting 10 points (4g, 6a) before being sent to the Storm where he recorded seven points (3g, 4a) in 22 contests … Appeared in 34 games for the Stampede in 2012-13 in his first season in the USHL, posting a 4-6-10 scoring line … Played high school hockey for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s where he was a second-team All-State honoree … Played bantam minor and major for Honeybaked … Brother, Dan, is a member of the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder.

 

Zach Osburn

Plymouth, Mich. • Chicago Steel (USHL) • D • 5-10, 181 • DOB: 2/7/1997

NHL Entry Draft Eligible

Scouting Report: An elite skating, offensive-minded defenseman … His excellent skating skills allow him to defend well in all three zones of the rink … Has a great shot that he uses off the rush or in the zone equally as well … His ability to lead the breakout and then the rush adds element critical to today’s game.

Has a goal and an assist in nine games for the Chicago Steel of the USHL this season … Was plus-4 in four games for the USHL Clark Cup Champion Indiana Ice in 2013-14, but played a majority of the season with Victory Honda’s U18 team where he had 26 points (15g, 11a) in 34 contests … Played for Team USA at the 2013 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament in Trnava, Slovakia, producing one goal and two assists in four games … Product of Honeybaked Hockey where he played prior to juniors.

 

Jerad Rosburg

Clarksville, Md. • Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) • D • 6-1, 190 • DOB: 6/18/1996

NHL Entry Draft Eligible

Scouting Report: A difficult defender for opponents to play against … Uses his skating ability, reach and physicality very well … Strong puck mover and also makes good decisions under pressure … Can lead the breakout with either his puck movement or skating skills … Good offensive sense and can easily join the rush … Has the ability to play on both the power play and penalty kill.

Through 12 games with the Sioux City Musketeers, Rosburg has a 2-2-4 scoring line and is plus-11 … In his first season with the Musketeers in 2013-14, he posted eight points (2g, 6a) and was plus-12 in 34 games … Rosburg stared the 2013-14 campaign playing 11 games for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders … Played for the Ohio Blue Jackets U18 team in 2012-13, posting 13 points (2g, 11a) in 40 games … Father, Jerry, is the associate head coach and special teams coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

 

Brennan Sanford

East Lansing, Mich. • Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) • F • 6-1, 205 • DOB: 7/21/1995

NHL Entry Draft Eligible

Scouting Report: Tough player in all areas of the rink … Uses his size and strength to be effective along the boards, in front of the net and in the corners … Owns a solid shot and has good decision making abilities with the puck … Smart, hard-working player.

Has five points (2g, 3a) through 16 games with the Des Moines Buccaneers this season … Played 29 games for the Austin Bruins of the NAHL in 2013-14, producing a 10-8-18 scoring line, before being sent to Cedar Rapids of the USHL where he recorded a 3-5-7 line in 33 games … Was a member of the Kalamazoo Junior K-Wings of the NAHL in 2012-13, recording nine points (4g, 5a) in 41 games … Played for the Lansing Capitals U18 team prior to junior hockey.