Meet the former Wisconsin men's hockey players with NHL teams to start the season
Here are the 13 former Badgers players on opening-night NHL rosters, plus three others who are starting the season on injured reserve.
Cole Caufield, Montreal
Cole Caufield (at UW 2019-21) starts his second full NHL season with the Montreal Canadiens.
Brian Elliott, Tampa Bay
Brian Elliott (at UW 2003-07) starts his 16th season in the NHL and second with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Trent Frederic, Boston
Trent Frederic (at UW 2016-18) played a career-high 60 games for the Boston Bruins in 2021-22. He's entering his fifth season with the team.
Dylan Holloway, Edmonton
Dylan Holloway (at UW 2019-21) made the Edmonton Oilers roster in training camp and is starting his first full season with the team. He made his NHL debut during the 2022 playoffs.
Luke Kunin, San Jose
Luke Kunin (at UW 2015-17) played all 82 games with Nashville in 2021-22 and was traded to the San Jose Sharks in the offseason for his seventh NHL season.
Ryan McDonagh, Nashville
Ryan McDonagh (at UW 2007-10) starts his first season with the Nashville Predators and 14th in the NHL after an offseason trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
K'Andre Miller, New York Rangers
K'Andre Miller (at UW 2018-20) is starting his third season with the New York Rangers. He played in all 82 games in 2021-22.
Joe Pavelski, Dallas
Joe Pavelski (at UW 2004-06) is starting his fourth season with the Dallas Stars and 17th in the NHL after playing in all 82 games in 2021-22.
Justin Schultz, Seattle
Justin Schultz (4, at right) signed as a free agent with the Seattle Kraken for his 11th season in the NHL. He played for UW from 2009 to 2012.
Brendan Smith, New Jersey
Brendan Smith (at UW 2007-10) signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils for his 12th NHL season after a year with Carolina.
Craig Smith, Boston
Craig Smith (at UW 2009-11) is starting his third season with the Boston Bruins and 12th in the NHL.
Derek Stepan, Carolina
Derek Stepan (at UW 2008-10) was in training camp with the Carolina Hurricanes on a tryout contract and signed a one-year, $750,000 deal on Oct. 11 for his 13th NHL season one day after initial rosters were due.
Ryan Suter, Dallas
Ryan Suter (at UW 2003-04) played all 82 games in his first season with the Dallas Stars in 2021-22 and returns for his 18th NHL campaign.
Jake Gardiner, Carolina (injured reserve)
Jake Gardiner (at UW 2008-11) is on long-term injured reserve with the Carolina Hurricanes because of a hip injury. He hasn't played since the 2020-21 season.
Jake McCabe, Chicago (injured reserve)
Jake McCabe (at UW 2011-14) is starting the season on injured reserve with the Chicago Blackhawks after he had cervical spine surgery in the offseason. He's entering his 10th NHL season.
Alex Turcotte, Los Angeles (injured reserve)
Alex Turcotte (at UW 2019-20) starts the season on injured reserve with the Los Angeles Kings as he battles concussion issues from a game in the 2022 American Hockey League playoffs. He played in eight NHL games during the 2021-22 season.
The Badgers men's hockey team plans to celebrate one of the program's iconic families at a game in December.
The Badgers battled back in the second game to secure a series split.Â
Wisconsin State Journal and BadgerExtra columnist Jim Polzin answers questions from readers in his weekly mailbag.
Former Badgers athletes and administrators celebrated the introduction of 11 new hall of fame members.
