Charlie Stramel’s resurgence has quietly become one of the more compelling prospect developments in the Minnesota Wild organization this season. After two underwhelming years at Wisconsin, the former first-round pick made a bold move-transferring to Michigan State to reunite with coach Adam Nightingale.
It looked like a reset. So far, it’s looking more like a revival.
Stramel’s production has taken a serious leap since landing in East Lansing. He went from just eight points in his final season with the Badgers to 27 in his first year with the Spartans. Now, 14 games into this season, he’s not just continuing that upward trend-he’s accelerating it.
Stramel has stepped into a true No. 1 center role for a Michigan State team currently ranked third in the country. He’s second on the team in scoring with six goals and 11 assists, and his 1.21 points-per-game mark is the best of his college career. The uptick in production isn’t fluky either-he’s averaging 2.64 shots per game, up from 2.3 last year, and he’s playing with a confidence and consistency that simply wasn’t there during his time at Wisconsin.
But the real story isn’t just in the box score. It’s how he’s getting those numbers that tells us the most about where his game is headed.
The first thing that jumps off the tape is how much more effectively Stramel is using his size. At 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds, he’s always had the physical tools to be a power forward, but during his time with the Badgers, he struggled to turn that into tangible offense.
He’d battle, sure, but it rarely led to scoring chances. That’s changed at Michigan State.
Now, Stramel is using his frame to create chaos in front of the net. Whether it’s deflections, rebound opportunities, or just making life miserable for opposing goalies, he’s become a legitimate net-front presence.
One sequence against Boston University stands out: as a defender follows a teammate into the corner, Stramel slides into the open space in front of the crease. The second defender can’t clear him out, and Stramel tips home a goal.
It’s a simple play, but it shows the kind of instincts and physical assertiveness that make him tough to handle.
That net-front game has become a calling card-but it’s not the only area where he’s grown. Stramel’s playmaking has taken a noticeable step forward, and that’s arguably just as important for his NHL projection.
When the Wild drafted him, one of the traits that made him a first-rounder was his passing-especially in tight areas. Scouting reports praised his ability to make quick, smart decisions under pressure.
But during his stint at Wisconsin, that part of his game didn’t show up much. Just 12 assists in 67 games.
Since transferring, though, that skill has returned-and then some. Last season, he posted 18 assists in 37 games.
This year, he’s already at 11 through 14 games, averaging a career-best 0.79 assists per contest. It’s not just the volume-it’s the quality of the passes.
One assist in particular highlights his growth as a playmaker. Stramel collects a loose puck behind the net on the power play.
Instead of forcing a play or circling up the boards, he quickly spots Porter Martone on the far side of the crease and threads a perfect pass for a tap-in goal. That kind of vision and decision-making is what scouts saw when they pegged him as a high-upside center.
And speaking of Martone-his chemistry with Stramel has been a big part of both players’ success. Martone, the sixth overall pick by the Flyers in 2025, has made a smooth transition from the CHL to college hockey, leading all NCAA freshmen with 19 points.
A big reason for that? The way Stramel sets the table.
When Stramel is distributing the puck like he has this year, it opens up his entire game. Defenders have to respect his physical presence down low, which creates space for his teammates.
He’s become a hub in the offensive zone-drawing attention, holding possession, and making plays. Even if he doesn’t project as a top-line scorer at the NHL level, this kind of two-way, physically imposing, playmaking center is exactly the type of player who can thrive in a middle-six role.
Of course, the big question is what this all means for the Wild. Minnesota has been looking for long-term answers at center for years, and faceoffs have been a persistent problem.
Stramel may not be ready to step into an NHL lineup tomorrow, but he’s trending in the right direction. He’s winning more than half his draws, playing responsible defense, and showing he can drive a line with both his body and his brain.
The Wild don’t need Stramel to be a superstar-they need him to be reliable, tough to play against, and capable of contributing on both ends. Right now, he’s checking all those boxes at Michigan State. After a rocky start to his college career, Stramel’s development is back on track-and that’s very good news for a Minnesota team that’s been waiting patiently for its 2023 first-round pick to find his stride.