MADISON, Wis. -- On his second trip to the Stanley Cup Final, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh reached the pinnacle of professional hockey when he raised the Stanley Cup on Monday.
 
McDonagh, who skated for Wisconsin from 2007 through 2010, will become the 14th former Badger to get his name added to the Stanley Cup as a player, the most of any NCAA school. It also marks the 21st time a Badger will appear as an NHL player on the Cup, more than any other university.

An alternate captain for Tampa Bay, McDonagh entered Game 6 averaging 24 minutes, 20 seconds time-one-ice per game, second on the Lightning, and has been a defensive stalwart throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. He finished the playoff run with a game-winning goal and five points through his 22 games played.

#StanleyCup Champion

Ryan McDonagh pic.twitter.com/QUPup6MKY3

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) September 29, 2020

 
He becomes the first Badgers to win the Cup since Justin Schultz capped consecutive titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017.

The first Badger ever to skate for the Lightning, McDonagh and Tampa Bay won the series, 4-2, winning Game 6 over Dallas and Joe Pavelski in Edmonton, 2-0.

Pavelski became the all-time leading U.S.-born NHL playoff goal scorer, notching his 60th career goal during his 11th career multi-goal effort in Game 4, then adding his 61st in Game 5. The goals eclipsed Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Mullen.

The 11th multi-goal performance also made Pavelski the NHL's active leader in postseason multi-goal efforts, breaking a deadlock with Sidney Crosby and former San Jose Sharks' teammate Patrick Marleau. Pavelski's 13 goals ranked second in this year's playoffs. He led the NHL with 14 playoff goals during San Jose's Stanley Cup Final run in 2016.

Pavelski also set a new standard for NHL players at least 36 years old during this year's playoff run. He broke the mark set by Maurice "Rocket" Richard, who tallied 11 times in one playoffs. Only Wayne Gretzky and Brett Hull also reached double figured in a playoff year after turning 36.
 
Brian Engblom, Tampa Bay Lightning television analyst, was the first Badger to get his name on the Cup, winning with the Montreal Canadiens in 1978. He also played for the squad for their 1977 title, but didn't meet the requirements to be engraved on the trophy. His name was added a second time for the Canadiens 1979 championship.

Goaltender Wayne Thomas played 10 games for the Montreal Canadiens during the 1972-73 season, but fell short of becoming the first Badger on the Cup as a backup goaltender for the playoffs.

Ryan McDonagh will be NCAA-best 14th Badger with his name on the #StanleyCup as a player pic.twitter.com/Y2OmTIASJ8

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) September 29, 2020

Before McDonagh, the 13 former Badgers to raise the Stanley Cup include Schultz' consecutive titles. Four other players have multiple championship rings including Chris Chelios with the Detroit Red Wings (2002 & 2008) and Montreal Canadiens (1985-86), Brian Engblom with the Montreal Canadiens (1978-79), Brian Rafalski with the New Jersey Devils (2000 & 2003) and Detroit Red Wings (2008) and Paul Stanton with the Penguins (1991-92). Chelios and Rafalski are the only ones with their names adorned three times.

Two other Badgers have been a part of Cup championships with Dave McNab, a former goaltender who played with the Badgers from 1973-78, serving as assistant general manager with the Anaheim Ducks when they won in 2007 and Bob Johnson with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992. Although Johnson passed away before the Penguins won their second consecutive championship, the team still put his name on the Cup that season.

Stanley Cup Champion Badgers
Anaheim Ducks
Dave McNab^, 2006–07

Colorado Avalanche
Steve Reinprecht, 2000–01

Calgary Flames
Gary Suter, 1988–89

Chicago Blackhawks
Adam Burish, 2009–10

Detroit Red Wings
Chris Chelios, 2001–02, '07–08
Brian Rafalski, 2007–08

Los Angeles Kings
Davis Drewiske, 2011–12

Montreal Canadiens
Sean Hill, 1992–93
Chris Chelios, 1985–86
Dave Maley, 1985–86
Brian Engblom, 1976–77%, '77–78, '78–79
Wayne Thomas, 1972–73%

New Jersey Devils
Brian Rafalski, 1999–00, '02–03
Bruce Driver*, 1994–95

New York Rangers
Mike Richter, 1993–94

Pittsburgh Penguins
Paul Stanton, 1990–91, '91–92
Bob Johnson, 1990–91#
Justin Schultz, 2015-16, '16-17

Tampa Bay Lightning
Ryan McDonagh*, 2019-20

^ assistant GM; * alternate captain; # - head coach; % - name not on Cup
 
This year marked the eighth time that Badgers competed against each other in the Stanley Cup Final. A ninth time, in 1989, was derailed by a Gary Suter injury when his Calgary Flames won the Final against Chicago's Chris Chelios.
 
2020
Ryan McDonagh (Tampa Bay) vs. Joe Pavelski (Dallas)
 
2017
Justin Schultz (Pittsburgh) vs. Craig Smith (Nashville)

2016
Justin Schultz (Pittsburgh) vs. Joe Pavelski (San Jose)

2002
Chris Chelios (Detroit) vs. Sean Hill (Carolina)

2001
Steve Reinprecht (Colorado) vs. Brian Rafalski (New Jersey)

1993
Sean Hill (Montreal) vs. Tony Granato and Gary Shuchuk (Los Angeles)

1992
Paul Stanton (Pittsburgh) vs. Chris Chelios (Chicago)

1986
Chris Chelios and Dave Maley (Montreal) vs. Mike Eaves (Calgary)