“Have fun out there.”
It`s a simple phrase, just four words, a clear instruction, an encouragement that`s hard to ignore. While some top athletes might dismiss such a basic idea, choosing to prioritize winning above everything else.
However, for Michigan State`s sophomore goalie, Trey Augustine, “have fun out there” is more than just words; it represents something much deeper. It`s what his grandfather, Kenneth Augustine Sr., would always tell Trey before his hockey games.
“That always brings me back to why I do this,” Trey shared with ESPN. “I really do have fun playing. And I love coming to the rink every day, seeing my teammates, the coaches, and staff. Having this community at the rink where I can escape for a few hours means a lot to me. If I wasn`t enjoying it, I`d know something was wrong.”
Augustine is Michigan State`s exceptional young goalie, and he and his team are aiming for the program`s fourth NCAA championship, their first since 2007. The Spartans, top-seeded in the Toledo Regional, will begin their tournament on Thursday against Cornell (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+). Even though his grandfather passed away just over two years ago, his influence is still felt by Augustine and the entire team.
Trey has been playing goalie since he was eight years old. And his roots in Michigan are strong.
Kenneth Sr., known as “Senior” in the hockey community, worked for Ford and moved to the Detroit area in the early 1980s. His son, Kenneth Jr., met his wife, Yvette, in St. Louis. Yvette, who played basketball at Drake University, passed on her athletic talent to Trey. Trey was born on February 23, 2005. The family moved to Michigan a year and a half later to be closer to both families, and they settled Trey into a hockey-loving community near his grandfather.
As Trey`s hockey career progressed, it took him away from Michigan, but Senior continued to support him. From New York to Toronto to Chicago, Trey remembers his “Gramps” hardly ever missing a game, despite the cold conditions often found in hockey rinks.
“Seeing him at every game he could attend, bundled up in the stands with blankets and hats because he would get cold,” Trey recalls about his early memories of seeing Senior at games. “Just him being there for me, even when it probably wasn`t the most comfortable situation for him in a freezing ice rink.”
Trey`s mother mentioned that Trey and his grandfather were always very close.
“He was always present, always there, always talking with him. I think Trey always carried his grandfather`s influence,” Yvette said. “And I think it meant a lot to him that Trey was the third Kenneth, carrying on the name.”
Indeed, Trey`s full name is Kenneth Augustine, just like his father and grandfather. Being the third Kenneth James Augustine, he goes by Trey.
“My grandpa was the first Kenneth James Augustine, my dad the second, and I`m the third. So, in a way, I always play for my grandpa,” Trey explained.
Kenneth James Augustine Sr. especially enjoyed watching Trey play for Team USA in the under-17 tournament. When Trey made the team, he and his parents surprised Senior with a USA Hockey National Team Development Program shirt to share the news personally.
“He knew how important that program was, especially as it was my goal. He knew how much I wanted to achieve,” Trey said. “He knew it meant a lot to me, so I think it meant the world to him as well.”
Kenneth Sr. passed away at 91 on January 27, 2023, while Trey was preparing for the U18 World Championship. Trey was deeply saddened, but he decided to stay with his team to cope with the loss.
“I remember returning home that night and going straight to my family`s house to be with everyone,” Trey said.
Trey`s parents made sure Senior was there in spirit at Trey`s national games throughout the tournament.
“My dad always wore this special blue USA hat. And my sister brought it to Switzerland with us,” Ken Jr. recalled.
During the gold medal game against Sweden, Trey`s aunt held the USA hat for the first two periods, but the game wasn`t going as they hoped.
“We were down 2-0 in the gold medal game,” Ken Jr. said. “[Ken`s sister] said, `Here, you hold it for the third period,` and gave me the hat.”
The U.S. narrowed the score to 2-1 midway through the third, then tied it with 3:16 left. Sweden got a power play with 1:03 remaining in regulation, putting pressure on Augustine as the advantage extended into overtime. But Trey remained strong, and Team USA won with Ryan Leonard`s goal just over a minute after the penalty ended.
“It was very special,” Ken Jr. said. “We like to think that Senior was there with us, watching over us.”
Trey remembers feeling the same way after the game.
“I really wanted my grandpa to see me win my first gold medal. And he wasn`t physically there at that time. I had a chance to win one before then,” he said. “I think seeing my dad, I saw my grandpa… I know he was there with me in spirit.”
Since his first gold medal for Team USA at the U18 level in 2023, Trey has won two more at the World Juniors in 2024 and again in January 2025. Augustine became the winningest goalie in U.S. World Juniors history, leading the Americans to victory against Finland in overtime.
In his second season at Michigan State, Augustine was named the Big Ten`s goalie of the year, leading the conference in wins (18), save percentage (.927), and goals-against average (2.02). He is also a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, given to the top college goalie in the nation.
Trey`s respect for his grandfather continues in his jersey number. Trey wears No. 1, in honor of Kenneth Augustine the first. He also has a decal on his helmet to remember his grandfather.
“He had `Senior` with a heart on the back of his helmet,” Yvette said. “So, I think he`ll always carry him with him. He`ll always hear his voice in his head.”
Trey experienced a dream for many sports fans: being drafted by his favorite childhood team, the Detroit Red Wings, in the second round of the 2023 NHL draft, staying true to his Michigan roots.
Now, as Augustine prepares for his second NCAA tournament with Michigan State, he remains inspired by the lessons Kenneth Sr. taught him every time he takes the ice.
“I think he`d be extremely proud. But I also believe for him, it`s about more than just the game,” Trey said. “It`s about being a good person in the community and positively influencing the people around you. I think that`s something that can be overlooked in athletes. It`s so important to be a good person, a good member of the community… I always think about that as well.”
