MADISON, Wis. – From major league debuts to overtime goals, Wisconsin alumni have been showing out during the first few weeks of the 2023-24 NHL season.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, former Wisconsin captain Ty Emberson made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks, making him the 92nd Badger to play in the NHL. The defenseman tallied two shots on goal and 13:10 minutes of time on ice in his debut.Â
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Joe Pavelski, Ryan Suter and Craig Smith, the trio of Badgers on the Dallas Stars, have made a significant impact through the first five games of the season. Smith, who signed with the Stars over the summer, has already scored his first goal with his new team, while Suter tallied an assist in the team's season opener.Â
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Pavelski, the current all-time leader in NHL points among UW players, has three goals and two assists, including scoring a clutch overtime winner versus the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 21.Â
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Cole Caufield, who was out for almost half of the 2022-23 NHL season due to injury, has also had a hot start. The former Hobey Baker winner has a roster-leading three goals and two assists through five games, including recently scoring the game-winning overtime goal to lead the Canadiens to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals.
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K'andre Miller has continued to prove himself as one of the top defensemen on the New York Rangers squad, notching three assists and six blocks through five games.
Boston Bruins winger Trent Frederic and Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan McDonagh have also done well, with Frederic tallying one goal and one assist through five games and McDonagh tallying two assists through six games.
