Anthony Romani is heading into his second NCAA season at Michigan State with plenty of confidence, a clearer sense of purpose, and a strong belief that the Spartans can be one of the best teams in college hockey this year.
The Vancouver Canucks prospect made an immediate impact as a freshman, posting 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points in 37 games. That production gave him a solid foundation, but Romani says the bigger value of his year in East Lansing has gone far beyond the box score.
“It’s been amazing; going to Michigan State was probably one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made in my life,” said Romani.
He points to the people around him as a major reason why the experience has worked so well. Romani likes the coaches, the food, and the student life, but he says the training facilities and the support he gets in the weight room and through his diet have made a real difference. For him, the NCAA isn’t just a stop along the way - it’s the launch point before he turns pro.
Romani said Michigan State has also helped him see the game and the business of being an athlete from a wider angle. He enjoys talking with athletes from other sports and picking up lessons wherever he can.
“Talking to other athletes is pretty cool. I’ll talk to the football guys and basketball players; we have great relationships with them.
Hearing things from different athletes in different sports is eye-opening, and you can just take stuff from them,” said Romani. “It’s just a fun environment, and we are always trying to build and learn from each other.”
That approach has clearly shown up in the way his first year unfolded. Spartans head coach Adam Nightingale came away impressed not just with Romani’s play, but with how he handled everything that comes with being a student-athlete.
“One of the things that made me really proud of him was his 4.0 GPA,” said Nightingale. “I’m a big believer in how you do one thing is how you do all things, and he’s a guy who is just wired that way.”
Nightingale also pointed to Romani’s work in the community, at practice, and in the weight room, saying those habits feed directly into what he does on the ice. From the coach’s view, Romani’s preparation and attitude are a big part of why his game keeps moving forward.
Michigan State enters the season with major talent, and the program is expected to have nine first-round picks. Romani’s offensive game fits right into that mix, especially with the way Nightingale describes his skill set.
“His offensive sense and his stick are really what separates him. He’s obviously got a track record of finishing, and his releases are elite, but his ability to make plays in tight areas. Those are the best qualities,” said Nightingale.
Romani’s growth isn’t limited to the college game. He’s also looking forward to another season working with the Canucks’ development staff, including Mike Komisarek and Mikael Samuelsson. After more than two years around them, he says the relationship has become an important part of his progression toward the NHL.
“What makes them so special is that they care about you as a human and want to help you become a better person,” said Romani. “I’m really close with them after being with them for over two years now. They’ve been really great for me and my growth.”
That message ties into the way Romani thinks about winning culture. He believes becoming the best version of yourself helps build the kind of environment successful teams need, and he wants to see that kind of culture in Vancouver. The Canucks development staff even had him read James Kerr’s Legacy, a book about the New Zealand All Blacks and the role culture plays in sustained success.
“I love just the little stuff Komo and Sammi do, like that they are giving us books on how to become a better person. Then, on the ice, I mean they’re both great hockey players who played in the NHL for a while, so just taking tips from them all the time on the ice is a no-brainer,” added Romani.
Now, with a year of college hockey behind him and a team loaded with talent in front of him, Romani is stepping into this season with momentum and a chance to keep moving toward the pro level.
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