The National Hockey League Stanley Cup playoffs begin tonight and at least one former University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs -- Matt Niskanen -- will be seeking to engrave their name of the most venerable trophy in professional sports. Niskanen, who skated for the the Bulldogs for two seasons (2005-07), is a member of the Washington Capitals, who won the NHL Presidents Trophy (best regular season record) and will take on Toronto in a best-of-seven quarterfinal round series.
Six UMD hockey alumni did time in the NHL this season and their final 2016-17 regular season statistics are as follows:
Name • Team • G-A=TP/GP, W-L-T, GAA, SVS%
J.T. Brown • Tampa Bay • 64GP • 3-3=6
Justin Faulk • Carolina - 75GP • 17-20=37
Jason Garrison • Tampa Bay • 70GP • 1-8=9
Matt Niskanen • Washington • 78GP • 5-34=39
Mason Raymond • Anaheim • 4GP • 0-0=0
Alex Stalock • Minnesota • 2GP • 1-1-0 • 1.51 • .944
Six UMD products have won a Stanley Cup as players -- Brett Hull (Dallas in 1999 and Detroit in 2002), Kurvers (Montreal in 1986), Dave "Moose" Langevin (New York Islanders in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1984), Derek Plante (Dallas in 1999), Shjon Podein (Colorado in 2001) and Glenn "Chico" Resch (New York Islanders in 1980).
