Trey Augustine isn’t just knocking on the door of NHL relevance - he’s practically kicking it in. The 20-year-old goaltender is in the midst of a standout junior season at Michigan State, and he’s doing more than just turning heads. He’s forcing his name into the national conversation, not only as one of the top college goalies in the country, but as a legitimate future piece for the Detroit Red Wings.
Let’s start with the numbers - because they speak loudly. Augustine has posted a 17-3-0 record with a 1.75 goals against average and a .937 save percentage.
That’s elite territory, and it’s earned him a place on the watchlists for both the Mike Richter Award (given to the NCAA’s top goaltender) and the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the best player in all of college hockey. That’s rare air for any player, let alone a goalie - and even more so for one who’s still just 20.
Michigan State, currently ranked No. 2 in the USCHO national poll, has been riding Augustine’s stellar play as they aim to return to the Frozen Four after falling short last season. And Augustine isn’t doing it alone - two of his teammates are also in the Hobey Baker conversation - but make no mistake: he’s been the backbone of this Spartans team.
He’s coming off a year where he helped the U.S. capture gold at the World Juniors and was named Big Ten Goaltender of the Year. This season, he’s taken another step forward, showing the kind of mental sharpness and lateral quickness that can erase defensive breakdowns in an instant.
At 6-foot-1, Augustine doesn’t fit the prototypical mold of today’s big-bodied NHL netminders, but his game is built on anticipation, positioning, and elite puck-tracking. He may not tower in the crease, but he plays big - and more importantly, he plays smart.
He’s also logging heavy minutes, and while he technically ranks second in save percentage across the NCAA, he’s done it while playing nearly twice as many games as the leader. That volume matters.
Coaches trust him, and he’s delivering night after night.
So where does that leave the Red Wings?
Detroit hasn’t signed Augustine to an entry-level contract yet, and the goaltending pipeline already features two young names in the AHL: Sebastian Cossa and Michal Postava. Cossa, in particular, has been the organization’s long-term goalie project, and he’s having his best season yet with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He’s taken the bulk of the starts and looks like he’s finally finding his rhythm.
But here’s where things get interesting.
With Cam Talbot struggling - he hasn’t won a game in regulation in a month - and Postava just getting back from injury, the Red Wings could be looking at a shakeup between the pipes. Talbot’s contract is up at the end of the season, and if he can string together a few solid performances, he could become a trade chip at the deadline. That would open the door for Cossa to see some NHL action before the Olympic break.
Now, if Cossa gets that shot and Augustine sees a clear path to a starting role in Grand Rapids once his college season wraps, the Red Wings might have a compelling case to bring him into the fold. Augustine is competitive, and while he may not want to play second fiddle to Cossa, he also knows the value of opportunity. If Detroit can offer him meaningful AHL starts and a real path to the NHL, that could be the nudge he needs to sign.
Goaltending is one of the most unpredictable positions in hockey. Prospects can take years to develop, or they can break out seemingly overnight. The Red Wings have been patient with Cossa - three seasons in the AHL and counting - but they’ve also shown a willingness to ride the hot hand, as we’ve seen this year with John Gibson taking over the net.
Trey Augustine is heating up at the right time. If he keeps playing like this, Detroit may not be able to wait much longer.