The University of Minnesota Duluth added yet another alumnus to the National Hockey League registry Saturday night (Jan. 9) when Evan Oberg hit the ice for the Vancouver Canucks in their 3-2 home loss to the Calgary Flames.

Oberg, who received 5:24 of shift time in Saturday's setback, passed up his final two years of collegiate eligibility by signing a free agent contract with the Canucks last April. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2008-09, placing second among Bulldog blueliners in scoring with seven goals and 20 assists for 27 points -- a 24-point increase from his injury-riddled rookie year -- while skating in all 43 games. The Forestburg, Alberta, native played some of his best hockey down the stretch and scored the memorable game-tying goal (with 0.8 seconds left in regulation) in UMD's 5-4 overtime victory over Princeton University on March 27 en route to attaining NCAA West Regional All-Tournament Team recognition.

Oberg became the 44th former Bulldog to skate in a NHL game since the 1971-72 season. He, along with 2008-09 teammate MacGregor Sharp (Anaheim) and one-time UMD defenseman Jay Rosehill (Tampa Bay), made their NHL debuts this season.