Rebecca Blank isn’t sure what’s coming next in college athletics but as she prepares to leave her job as UW-Madison chancellor she said there will be challenges for her successor.
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Athletic Board and search committee chair Pete Miller and UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank respond to a question about the 35 applicants for the school's athletic director opening at a news conference Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at the Kohl Center.
Learn about the 11 former Wisconsin men's hockey players competing for the Stanley Cup in 2022
BRIAN ELLIOTT, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Brian Elliott (at UW 2003-07) joined the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning last offseason as a backup goalie. He played in 48 playoff games for four teams from 2010 to 2020.
2021-22 stats: .912 save percentage, 2.43 goals-against average, 11-4-3 in 19 games.
TRENT FREDERIC, BOSTON BRUINS
Forward Trent Frederic (at UW 2016-18) is in his fourth NHL season but didn't appear in a playoff game in his first three years.
2021-22 stats: Eight goals, 10 assists, 18 points in 60 games.
LUKE KUNIN, NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Forward Luke Kunin (at UW 2015-17) scored four goals in the 10 playoff games in which he appeared for Minnesota and Nashville in 2020 and 2021.
2021-22 stats: Thirteen goals, nine assists, 22 points in 82 games.
RYAN McDONAGH, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Defenseman Ryan McDonagh (at UW 2007-10) spoke at the White House in April as the Lightning were honored for their second straight Stanley Cup championship. He played in 162 playoff games over his first 11 years in the NHL.
2021-22 stats: Four goals, 22 assists, 26 points in 71 games.
K'ANDRE MILLER, NEW YORK RANGERS
Defenseman K'Andre Miller (at UW 2018-20) played in all 82 games this season, his second in the NHL. This is his first playoff appearance.
2021-22 stats: Seven goals, 13 assists, 20 points in 82 games.
JOE PAVELSKI, DALLAS STARS
Forward Joe Pavelski (at UW 2004-06) became the oldest U.S.-born player to reach 80 points in a season and just the 12th in NHL history to do so at age 37 or older. He's the third player in NHL history to set a career high for points at age 37 or older, joining Gordie Howe and Tim Horton. This is his 14th season in the playoffs.
2021-22 stats: Twenty-seven goals, 54 assists, 81 points in 82 games.
JUSTIN SCHULTZ, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Defenseman Justin Schultz (at UW 2009-12) won Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017. This is his seventh season in the playoffs and second with the Capitals.
2021-22 stats: Four goals, 19 assists, 23 points in 74 games.
BRENDAN SMITH, CAROLINA HURRICANES
Defenseman Brendan Smith (at UW 2007-10) has played in the playoffs in six seasons, most recently 2020 with the New York Rangers.
2021-22 stats: Four goals, four assists, eight points in 45 games.
CRAIG SMITH, BOSTON BRUINS
Forward Craig Smith (at UW 2009-11) is in the playoffs for the seventh straight season, the last two of which have been with Boston. He had five points in 10 games last postseason.
2021-22 stats: Sixteen goals, 20 assists, 36 points in 74 games.
DEREK STEPAN, CAROLINA HURRICANES
Forward Derek Stepan (at UW 2008-10) has scored 20 goals in 106 career playoff games entering 2022. He joined the Hurricanes last offseason.
2021-22 stats: Nine goals, 10 assists, 19 points in 58 games.
RYAN SUTER, DALLAS STARS
Defenseman Ryan Suter (at UW 2003-04) appeared in the playoffs five times with Nashville and seven times with Minnesota, averaging more than 27 minutes of playing time per game over 88 contests.
2021-22 stats: Seven goals, 25 assists, 32 points in 82 games.
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