University of Minnesota Athletics
16 Gophers on NHL Opening Night Rosters
10/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) - The Gopher Hockey program boasts 16 alums on NHL opening night rosters as the 2016-17 season kicks off tonight.
Among the players are Phil Kessel, who is back with the Pittsburgh Penguins after winning the 2016 Stanley Cup, and 2013 Stanley Cup champion Nick Leddy, who returns to the New York Islanders blue line. Kessel and Leddy are the latest of 10 Gopher Hockey alums to have their names etched onto the Stanley Cup.
While Kessel and Leddy return to their teams, a number of Gopher alums will suit up for new squads this year. Alex Goligoski signed with Arizona over the offseason, Thomas Vanke joined the Detroit roster and Kyle Okposo signed with Buffalo - joining Hudson Fasching, who made the opening roster as a rookie after signing with the Sabres following the 2015-16 Gophers season.
Of the players returning to their teams this year, perhaps no one had a better offseason than Blake Wheeler with Winnipeg -- Wheeler was named the Jets captain heading into the 2015-16 campaign. Also back with their teams are Paul Martin (San Jose), Kessel (Pittsburgh), Nate Schmidt (Washington), Erik Johnson (Colorado), Nick Bjugstad (Florida), Mark Alt (Philadelphia), Erik Haula (Minnesota), Mike Reilly (Minnesota), Seth Helgeson (New Jersey), Leddy (New York Islanders) and Brady Skjei (New York Rangers).
Two Gophers will start the season on the injured lists for their respective clubs -Bjugstad with Florida and Alt with Philadelphia.
Off the ice, Gopher Hockey alums are also integral parts to several NHL coaching staffs and front offices. Paul Holmgren returns as the team president of the Flyers while Darby Hendrickson (Minnesota) and Todd Richards (Tampa Bay) will serve as assistant coaches this season.
Gopher Hockey Alums in the NHL
Alex Goligoski - Arizona
Hudson Fasching - Buffalo
Kyle Okposo - Buffalo
Paul Martin - San Jose
Nate Schmidt - Washington
Blake Wheeler - Winnipeg
Phil Kessel - Pittsburgh
Erik Johnson - Colorado
Thomas Vanek - Detroit
Nick Bjugstad - Florida (Injured)
Mark Alt - Philadelphia (Injured)
Erik Haula - Minnesota
Mike Reilly - Minnesota
Seth Helgeson - New Jersey
Nick Leddy - New York Islanders
Brady Skjei - New York Rangers
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