Spartans Captain Matt Basgall Signs ATO with San Diego Gulls

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Apr 10, 2026 - 10:00
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Spartans Captain Matt Basgall Signs ATO with San Diego Gulls

Oh captain, my captain.

It feels fitting that my first article back after a bit of paternity leave is about Michigan State’s captain.

While a new “captain” — just 72 hours into life — is getting settled in at the Faber household, the Spartans’ captain is getting settled in San Diego.

Michigan State captain Matt Basgall, the 2026 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, has officially signed an amateur tryout (ATO) with the Anaheim Ducks’ AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls.

Basgall, a 23-year-old defenseman from Lake Forest, Illinois, has taken a long and steady path to this opportunity.

He spent four seasons with the Omaha Lancers, finishing his time there with 46 total points (nine goals, 37 assists) and a +13 rating. At 19 years old, Basgall moved on to the Tri-City Storm, where he made an immediate impact. In just 21 games, he recorded 21 points (three goals, 18 assists) in his lone season with the team.

From there, Basgall arrived in East Lansing and began a four-year journey that helped reestablish Michigan State hockey.

He joined the Spartans for the 2022–23 season, and his freshman year would be the only season in which Michigan State did not win the Big Ten title. That didn’t sit well with Basgall — or the rest of the locker room.

From that point on, Basgall helped build a culture centered on winning, driven by hard-fought, gritty defense and consistent leadership.

Year after year, Basgall developed into a more complete player.

As a freshman, he contributed offensively with four goals and 13 assists. His sophomore season saw a dip in scoring — just one goal and one assist — but his defensive presence became impossible to ignore. Even then, there was still another level to reach.

As a junior, Basgall took a major step forward. He set career highs with six goals and 20 assists while also finishing with a +9 rating — his first positive plus/minus season at Michigan State. His defensive game was becoming dominant, and his leadership presence continued to grow.

Teammates didn’t look up to him for flashy offensive plays, but for his calm demeanor, steady presence, and high-level awareness in the defensive zone.

By his senior season, Basgall had fully grown into the role. Named captain of the Spartans, he turned that responsibility into a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award in 2026.

He finished the season with a +16 rating and 42 blocked shots, good for second on the team, while also adding four goals and 16 assists. More importantly, he helped lead Michigan State to its third consecutive Big Ten title.

The Spartans’ season ultimately came to an end in the Elite Eight with a loss to Wisconsin — a tough finish to an otherwise dominant run.

Still, Basgall leaves East Lansing with an outstanding collegiate résumé, totaling 15 goals and 63 assists over his four seasons.

Now, he heads west to San Diego with an opportunity to prove himself at the professional level and, potentially, earn a spot with the Ducks.

Basgall leaves behind more than just stats. He leaves a leadership void that won’t be easy to fill.

It’s always tough to lose talented players, especially in today’s game, but losing your captain carries a different weight. Even knowing his time was limited, it still feels like Basgall — much like my new daughter — just arrived.

Through hard work, consistency, and leadership, he earned the right to be called captain of the Spartans.

And if his track record says anything, he’s just getting started.

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