Badgers in the NHL: 12 make opening night rosters
October 08, 2024 | Men's Hockey, NHL Badgers
Former Badgers ready to get the NHL season started
MADISON, Wis. – The 2024-25 NHL season begins this week, and 12 former Wisconsin men's hockey players have earned a spot on opening night rosters.
The St. Louis Blues lead the way by starting the season with multiple Badgers on the roster as both defenseman Ryan Suter and forward Dylan Holloway signed with the organization over the offseason. Suter, who played for the Dallas Stars last year, is set to play in his 20th NHL season, while Holloway will be playing in his third after spending the past two years with the Edmonton Oilers.
Your 2024-25 St. Louis Blues Opening Day roster 🎶 #stlblues pic.twitter.com/tCTxKNG9aW
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 7, 2024
Forward Craig Smith also switched teams over the offseason, signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks after playing the 2023-24 season in Dallas.
we heard y'all were looking for this pic.twitter.com/7D8D8yUI2h
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 7, 2024
Brendan Smith is gearing up for his 14th year in the NHL after signing a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars. The defenseman played for the New Jersey Devils in 2023-24.
Our Opening Night Stars, Poster Edition ✨ https://t.co/TIWvj0ZApi pic.twitter.com/8Fo688VByp
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 7, 2024
Defenseman Ty Emberson, who made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks early in the 2023-24 season, was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in August.
Forward Alex Turcotte cracked his first NHL opening night roster this year for the L.A. Kings. Over the past three seasons, Turcotte has split his time skating for both the Kings and their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. So far, he has one goal and four points in 32 NHL games played.
The 2024-25 season-opening roster is here! 🤴
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 7, 2024
Release 📲 https://t.co/qOtoaBOa5m pic.twitter.com/0It3m7ckW7
Cole Caufield returns for his fifth season with the Montreal Canadiens after finishing the 2023-24 season ranking second on the roster with 28 goals and 65 points.
K'Andre Miller, who was part of the 2023-24 President's Trophy-winning New York Rangers squad, is back on the blue line for his fifth season with the Rangers.
Trent Frederic returns to Boston for his seventh season in the NHL with the Bruins.
Introducing your 2024-25 Boston Bruins. pic.twitter.com/kgm3ZCJadJ
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 7, 2024
Over the summer, forward Luke Kunin re-signed with the San Jose Sharks for a year, and he will be playing in his eighth NHL season. The Sharks recently announced that Kunin will be part of their 2024-25 leadership group as an alternate captain.
Welcome to the future 🦈
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) October 7, 2024
Our Opening Night roster is here.#TheFutureIsTeal
The Badgers also boast another 2024-25 NHL alternate captain: Ryan McDonagh. For his 15th NHL season, McDonagh will be playing with the Tampa Bay Lightning after being traded there by the Nashville Predators in May. McDonagh previously played for Tampa Bay from 2018 to 2022, winning two Stanley Cups with the Lightning.
Spots are locked in for Opening Night ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/aJ0JWoy8RN
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 8, 2024
Defenseman Jake McCabe is set to play in his 12th NHL season and third with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
🔷 Our 2024-25 Opening Night Roster 🔷
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 7, 2024
Complete list of Badgers in the NHL (Years at Wisconsin)
Boston Bruins - Trent Frederic (2016-18)
Chicago Blackhawks - Craig Smith (2009-11)
Dallas Stars - Brendan Smith (2007-10)
Edmonton Oilers - Ty Emberson (2018-21)
Los Angeles Kings - Alex Turcotte (2019-20)
Montreal Canadiens - Cole Caufield (2019-21)
New York Rangers - K'Andre Miller (2018-20)
San Jose Sharks - Luke Kunin (2015-17)
St. Louis Blues - Dylan Holloway (2019-21), Ryan Suter (2003-04)
Tampa Bay Lightning - Ryan McDonagh (2007-10)
Toronto Maple Leafs - Jake McCabe (2011-14)
