Sharks prospect Joshua Ravensbergen to play for Michigan State in 2026-27
Another top prospect playing in the CHL is making the move to college, as San Jose Sharks goaltending prospect Joshua Ravensbergen will be attending and playing for Michigan State University for the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN Insider Kevin Weekes.
**Breaking News** 🚨 📰 I’m told @SanJoseSharks 1st Rd pick G Ravensbergen will attend and play for @MSU_Hockey @ncaa_hockey next season. #HockeyX #SJSharks #TheFutureIsTeal
Ravensbergen has spent the last three seasons in the WHL with the Prince George Cougars, with this season being his draft +1 season. With one more season before entering the professional leagues, Ravensbergen will take the opportunity to develop his game further against older players.
By committing to Michigan State University for the 2026-27 season, Ravensbergen has also ruled himself out from playing with the Sharks in the NHL for that season. It was a longshot to occur anyways given his age, and the fact that Yaroslav Askarov is already set to be the starting goalie for that season, but as the 30th overall pick in 2025, his first-round pick pedigree opens those doors much quicker.
In what is now Ravensbergen’s final WHL season, he has been exceptional with a 19-9-0 record, a .916 save percentage and two shutouts, with his save percentage being the third-best in the WHL. He also participated in the 2026 World Junior Championship with Canada, but did not play a game.
Meanwhile, Michigan State will maintain their strength in net for at least one more season with this move. Trey Augustine has been the team’s goaltender for three years now, and with the Detroit Red Wings goaltending prospect set to go pro next season, adding Ravensbergen allows them to move on from one elite goalie prospect to another. Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis had Augustine ranked third on his top NHL goalie prospects list in the summer, while Ravensbergen was sixth.
This move would not have been possible for Ravensbergen if not for an agreement put in place between the CHL and NCAA to allow players who played in the CHL to play the college game. Previously, players were not allowed to play in both leagues, as committing to one league meant they weren’t allowed to play in the other. Since then, numerous players have made the jump to college, highlighted by 2026 top prospects Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff.