Blues Prospect Colin Ralph Hopes Move to Michigan State Paves Way To NHL

[TBone]

Blues Prospect Colin Ralph Hopes Move to Michigan State Paves Way To NHL Like It Has Recently For Other Top Spartans

Lou Korac
July 14, 2025

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Colin Ralph understands the aura that comes with playing college hockey for Michigan State.

That's why the St. Louis Blues second round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft made a change.

No offense to St. Cloud State University, where Ralph played as a freshman last season and played well (one goal, seven assists; 35 games), but the prestige that comes with playing for the Spartans, who've turned over a couple of big-name players to the pro ranks as of late.

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Ralph, who spent 2021-22 in St. Louis going to Kirkwood High School while playing for the CarShield AAA 16U squad, felt like the experience at St. Cloud State, which went 14-21 last season, was good and prepared him for this next challenge.

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis- ... p-spartans

[seattleblue]

Big year for Ralph. His D+1 was relatively unremarkable. Michigan State playing Penn State we can see him against McKenna maybe

[Boomac]

Our 2024 top 3 picks are all still very raw. Ralp, hopefully he gets a boost from playing in Michigan State's competitive environment and first class facilities. All the tools and toolbox are there for a legit Middle 4 mini-Bouwmeester.

[STL fan in MN]

Big year for Ralph. His D+1 was relatively unremarkable. Michigan State playing Penn State we can see him against McKenna maybe

I’m waiting for the Big 10 schedule to come out so I can see when Michigan State and Penn State are visiting the Gophers this season. The non-conference schedule is already out and BC comes here this season so that was one reason why I was hoping Carbonneau would’ve picked BC. With Carbo not going there and Leonard and Perreault leaving, BC probably takes a step back this season.

As for Ralph, agree this is a big year for him. I thought he looked fine at St. Cloud but I also didn’t see a lot of him. Watched 2 of his games as I mostly just watch the Big 10 and Hockey East (and Denver when I can). Ralph had a solid top-4 role as a freshman last season and will probably see some good minutes at Michigan State too. He’ll pretty much never put up much of any points so to make it, he’s going to have to be rock solid defensively while also hopefully adding some meanness and solid outlets/transitions.

[seattleblue]

Big year for Ralph. His D+1 was relatively unremarkable. Michigan State playing Penn State we can see him against McKenna maybe

I’m waiting for the Big 10 schedule to come out so I can see when Michigan State and Penn State are visiting the Gophers this season. The non-conference schedule is already out and BC comes here this season so that was one reason why I was hoping Carbonneau would’ve picked BC. With Carbo not going there and Leonard and Perreault leaving, BC probably takes a step back this season.

As for Ralph, agree this is a big year for him. I thought he looked fine at St. Cloud but I also didn’t see a lot of him. Watched 2 of his games as I mostly just watch the Big 10 and Hockey East (and Denver when I can). Ralph had a solid top-4 role as a freshman last season and will probably see some good minutes at Michigan State too. He’ll pretty much never put up much of any points so to make it, he’s going to have to be rock solid defensively while also hopefully adding some meanness and solid outlets/transitions.

I'll tell you what if I wanted to get into TV sports production I'd go to that program at St. Cloud St. When I watched some of his games you get the school's ads and it seemed impressive.

NHL schedule comes out in about 48 hrs (10am my time Wed) and yes apparently it's starting in the afternoon on a Tuesday again but not us.

With even more offensive talent pouring into the NCAAs Ralph should be well tested, he will be more exciting to watch this upcoming year.

[Pierre McGuire]

Could care less about his freshman year at St. Cloud. He was solid where it counted at the WJC’s.