Meet 12 former Wisconsin men's hockey players on 2024-25 NHL opening night rosters
Cole Caufield, Montreal
Cole Caufield, who played for the Badgers from 2019 to 2021 and won the Hobey Baker Award as a sophomore, is entering his fourth full pro season with the Montreal Canadiens.
EVAN BUHLER, Canadian Press
Ty Emberson, Edmonton
Ty Emberson, who played for the Badgers from 2018 to 2021, was traded from San Jose to Edmonton in August 2024.
AMBER BRACKEN, Canadian Press
Trent Frederic, Boston
Trent Frederic, a Badgers forward from 2016 to 2018, is starting his seventh full pro season and his entire NHL career has been with Boston.
CHARLES KRUPA, Associated Press
Dylan Holloway, St. Louis
Dylan Holloway, who played for the Badgers from 2019 to 2021, signed an offer sheet with St. Louis in the 2024 offseason after three years with Edmonton, which declined to match the terms.
CHARLIE NEIBERGALL, Associated Press
Luke Kunin, San Jose
Former Badgers captain Luke Kunin, who played at Wisconsin from 2015 to 2017, is entering his third season with San Jose. He also has played for Minnesota and Nashville.
JOHN FROSCHAUER, Associated Press
Jake McCabe, Toronto
Jake McCabe, a Wisconsin defenseman from 2011 to 2014, is starting his 11th full pro season and his second full season in Toronto after a midseason trade from Chicago in 2023.
MICHAEL DWYER, Associated Press
Ryan McDonagh, Tampa Bay
Defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who played at Wisconsin from 2007 to 2010, is starting his second stint with Tampa Bay after two seasons in Nashville.
CHRIS O'MEARA, Associated Press
K'Andre Miller, New York Rangers
K'Andre Miller, a Wisconsin defenseman from 2018 to 2020, is starting his fifth season with the New York Rangers.
PAMELA SMITH, Associated Press
Brendan Smith, Dallas
Brendan Smith, a Wisconsin defenseman from 2007 to 2010, joined his fifth NHL team when he signed with Dallas in the 2024 offseason.
DAVID ZALUBOWSKI, Associated Press
Craig Smith, Chicago
Craig Smith, a Badgers forward from 2009 to 2011, signed a one-year contract with Chicago in the 2024 offseason after playing last season with Dallas.
ERIN HOOLEY, Associated Press
Ryan Suter, St. Louis
Ryan Suter, a Wisconsin defenseman in the 2003-04 season, signed with St. Louis after Dallas bought out his contract. He's starting his 20th NHL season.
JAY LaPRETE, Associated Press
Alex Turcotte, Los Angeles
Alex Turcotte, a Badgers forward in the 2019-20 season, has played 32 NHL games over the previous three seasons, all of them with Los Angeles.
