Legacy on Ice: How Trey Augustine Honors His Grandfather While Dominating NCAA Hockey

The Power of Four Words

"Have fun out there."

This deceptively simple phrase serves as both compass and catalyst for Michigan State's elite goaltender Trey Augustine. While many athletes obsess over stats and outcomes, the sophomore netminder anchors himself in these four words - the final gift from his grandfather, Kenneth Augustine Sr., who passed away in 2023.

"That always keeps me coming back to 'this is why I do it,'" Augustine told ESPN. "I love coming to the rink every day. If I wasn't having fun, I know there'd be a problem."

A Goaltender Forged in Michigan Ice

Augustine's hockey roots run as deep as the Great Lakes:

• Born into a three-generation legacy of Kenneth James Augustines
• Wears #1 to honor his grandfather, the original Kenneth Augustine
• Drafted by childhood team Detroit Red Wings (2023, 2nd round)
• Team USA's all-time winningest U20 goaltender (3 gold medals)
• 2025 Big Ten Goaltender of the Year (.927 SV%, 2.02 GAA)

As Michigan State prepares for its NCAA tournament run as Toledo Regional's top seed, Augustine's pre-game ritual remains unchanged: a moment to remember his grandfather watching from frigid rink bleachers, the elder Augustine always bundled against the cold to support his grandson.

"He was the first Kenneth James Augustine. My dad was the second. I'm the third," Augustine explained. "So I'm always playing for my grandpa."

Golden Memories Etched in Ice

The Augustine family keeps Kenneth Sr.'s spirit present through poignant traditions:

• Swiss Gold Medal Miracle (2023): Trailing Sweden 2-0 in the U18 Worlds final, Team USA mounted a dramatic comeback after the family passed around Kenneth's lucky blue USA hat
• Helmet Tribute: Augustine wears a "Senior" decal with heart on his helmet
• Michigan State Legacy: Pushing for program's first NCAA title since 2007

"We'd like to think he was watching over us," said Kenneth Augustine Jr. about his father during Team USA's golden moment.

More Than Athletic Excellence

What sets Augustine apart extends beyond his:

• 18 wins (2024-25 season)
• .927 save percentage
• Mike Richter Award finalist status

"It's bigger than the game," Augustine reflects. "My grandpa taught me about being a good community member, making positive impacts. That gets lost sometimes in athletics."

As the NCAA tournament begins, Augustine carries both his family's legacy and that simple four-word philosophy onto the ice - proving sometimes the deepest wisdom comes in the smallest packages.