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Commitment: Defenseman Tyler Martyniuk pledges to Spartan Hockey

lfVAJbe8_400x400by: Jeremy Dewar07/30/25JD_Jerbear
Michigan State's head coach Adam Nightingale talks with players on the bench during the second period in the game against Michigan on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at Munn Arena in East Lansing. - Nick King, USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State's head coach Adam Nightingale talks with players on the bench during the second period in the game against Michigan on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at Munn Arena in East Lansing. - Nick King, USA TODAY Sports

This week marks the opening of early commitments from the top late 2008- and 2009-born hockey players, with many first being able to announce their commitment on Aug. 1. Ahead of this day in which I know of at least two other commitments coming, the Michigan State hockey team received a pledge from 2008-born defensemen Tyler Martyniuk.

Martyniuk is originally from Washington Township, Michigan, playing for the Honeybaked organization growing up, before spending last season in Plymouth as a member of the USA National Team Development Program U17s. Martyniuk plays a very physical game, taking care of his defensive responsibilities first, and is the classic defensemen mold that is harder to find now, as he contributed just eight assists last season with the NTDP. Martyniuk will block shots, he will block out forwards from the slot with his supreme positioning and stick work, and he will be an ace on the penalty kill, as it translates to the college game.

The scouting services rate Martyniuk as a 3.5 star (PuckPreps) and a 4.25 star (Neutral Zone). I anticipate Martyniuk to play an additional year of junior after his 18s year at the NTDP next season, putting him on track for a possible fall 2027 arrival in East Lansing. I would expect the 2026-2027 season sees Martyniuk in the OHL or the USHL, playing a much larger role on his team than he currently sees as a depth defensemen in the NTDP. The Spartans had a similar plan in mind for Austin Baker, who spent this season with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL and comes to East Lansing much more ready for the NCAA game this Fall.

Stay following Spartans Illustrated this week and weekend as I expect more names to come soon for the Spartans.