Fourth Overall Pick Abandons Junior Hockey to Sign University Deal

Cayden Lindstrom's 2024-25 campaign never materialized. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect missed the entire regular season with a nagging back injury he suffered prior to the 2024 NHL Draft.

Although he suited up in the WHL Finals for Medicine Hat, where he produced four points in four games, he failed to pick up a point in the Memorial Cup.

Now, instead of coming back to Medicine Hat for a second year in the WHL, Lindstrom has made the public statement that he's headed to Michigan State University in 2025-26.

Even as the fourth overall choice last June, he did not sign an entry-level deal and retained his NCAA eligibility. On first blush, the decision is odd, as junior major hockey has more games (68 per year), which would be developmentally sound.

But given his injury history, the less frantic NCAA schedule (34 games) offers greater room for recovery time and strength training, which can reduce the likelihood of re-injury.

Lindstrom's talent is not questioned. He produced 46 points (27 goals, 19 assists) in only 32 contests in 2023-24, a first-round draft pick despite the red flag on his injury history.

That kind of production suggests that he can play against better competition, which he will face at MSU, a program that had eight NHL-drafted players on its roster last year. Several schools, led by Ohio State, reportedly pursued Lindstrom.

The Blue Jackets may have preferred keeping him in their backyard, but he'll be whetted just a short flight away by a quality Spartans program that's churning several prospects into the pros.