Matt Niskanen, who is one of nine University of Minnesota Duluth alumni to do time in National Hockey League this season, will head into the Winter Olympics break ranked first among NHL defensemen in plus-minus rating (+29) and game-winning goals (five). Niskanen, a seven-year NHL veteran now with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has also racked up seven goals and 27 assists for 34 points -- one point shy of his career high.
Joining Niskanen in the group of active ex-Bulldogs in the NHL is defensemen Justin Faulk (Carolina Hurricanes), who will open up Winter Olympic play with the United States this Thursday, Jason Garrison (Vancouver Canucks) and Dylan Olsen (Florida Panthers), wingers Justin Fontaine (Minnesota Wild), who is currently tied for 10th in rookie goals (12) and is second in rookie shot percentage (17.9), Mason Raymond (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Jay Rosehill (Philadelphia Flyers) and goaltender Alex Stalock (San Jose Sharks). Their 2013-14 statistics to date are as follows:
Justin Faulk • Carolina - 57GP • 3-19=22
Justin Fontaine • Minnesota • 51GP • 12-6=18
Jason Garrison • Vancouver • 60GP • 6-23=29
Matt Niskanen • Pittsburgh • 58GP • 7-27=34
Dylan Olsen • Florida • 21GP • 3-7=10
Mason Raymond • Toronto • 60 GP • 16-19=35
(Leafs National story)Jay Rosehill • Philadelphia • 29GP • 1-0=1
Alex Stalock • San Jose • 16GP • 8-4-0 • 1.67 • .938
Since 1971, 50 former UMD players have gone on to skate in the NHL. The most ex-Bulldogs to see NHL ice time in the same season was 11 in 1994-95.
