Anthony Romani didn’t just return to Michigan State for his sophomore season ready to play - he came back looking like a different kind of weapon.
The Vancouver Canucks prospect spent a good summer training, then got back to East Lansing in July to work with the Spartans’ trainer. After his first NCAA season gave him a feel for the level, Romani used the offseason to fine-tune the details and says he’s now more explosive and powerful to start this year.
That extra burst is showing up in a bigger role, too. The 21-year-old is logging 19:27 of ice time per game, second among Michigan State forwards, while handling power-play minutes and now getting work on the penalty kill as well.
That’s part of the growth he wanted. Romani said he wants to be the kind of player who can help in every situation, and he earned a small stretch on the penalty kill late last season. Over the summer, he had several conversations with the Spartans’ penalty kill coach and said he was excited to be trusted while shorthanded.
His hockey IQ from power-play duty and his added explosiveness have helped him become a useful piece on the kill, and those minutes are giving him another skill set to carry toward pro hockey down the road.
He can also help the scoreboard in a hurry.
SHORTY ALERT!
Anthony Romani scores shorthanded to put us up 4-1! pic.twitter.com/uTzAs73zWs
- Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) October 11, 2026
The production has been loud from the jump. Romani has four goals and three assists for seven points, tops on the Spartans in both goals and points through three games.
Anthony Romani opens the scoring for the 2026 season 🙌 @MSU_Hockey
Subscribe/watch on B1G+ https://t.co/dlhZanvy6L pic.twitter.com/BqebcXZ9aq
- Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) October 9, 2026
He’s also attacking the net with volume, averaging more than six shots on goal per game while trying to keep that pace going.
“The best goal scorers in the world are not going to score every shot, but they have to take a lot of shots. I think that’s something that I’m focusing on. I’m making sure I’m getting shots each game and getting in those dangerous areas,” said Romani.
“The players I’m playing with also really make it easy for me to create those opportunities to get shots. My confidence is good right now, too.
I feel confident with my game and my abilities. I want to keep it rolling.”
He made that point clear when talking about what he wants to be for Michigan State this season.
“I want to be a big impact player for our team. I think I can take a step and become one of our top players, help drive us, and be a leader. That’s a goal for myself,” said Romani.
“We want to win everything this season. We want to win the Big Ten tournament and the NCAA championships. I think our team is capable of doing all that.”
Anthony Romani gets his goal back!
Romani makes it 4-1 in the third off a cross-ice pass from Sean Barnhill! pic.twitter.com/qvOZWW2Fql
- Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) October 18, 2026
Michigan State has stormed out of the gate and is currently second in the USCHO.com rankings, and Romani has been right in the middle of it. As the Spartans push through what looks like a strong season, he’s aiming to keep his own momentum rolling and turn this early confidence into a full sophomore surge.
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