It is no secret that the NCAAs are producing more, and more NHL talent every year. We’ve seen it throughout this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs too. The biggest highlight being Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadians. Going from winning the Hobey Baker (which in college hockeys’ Heisman award for best player), to leading the Habs to a Stanley Cup finals appearance. The Stars already have a couple names on the team from the college ranks.
For the Stars there are a few names who’ve made their mark on the team that came up from the college ranks. As well as in their franchises history
Starting us up; Joe Pavelski. A 2006 NCAA champion with the Wisconsin Badgers. Hailing from Wisconsin, Joe Pavelski aka Captain America is one of the best Americans playing in the NHL. Best known for scoring goals in front of the net via tip ins. A powerplay goal scoring machine, and has been at it since 2007. Spent thirteen seasons with the San Jose Sharks before signing with Dallas for the 2019-2020 season. Currently with one year left on that contract.
While Ben Bishop is on the downside of his career, he has also put up impressive numbers for the Stars. Most notably in 2019. Bishop played college hockey with the University of Maine Black Bears.
Another Stars’ goaltender Jake Oettinger hails from another Hockey East conference in college. Otter is an alum of the Boston University Terriers. Played with his school for three seasons, and was drafted by Dallas in 2017.
Photo credit: Brandon Wade/Dallas News
Rhett Gardner, who recently signed an extension for the Dallas Stars, hails from the University of North Dakota. Gardner won a national championship with the program back in 2016, too.
Speaking of North Dakota prospects forward Jordan Kawaguchi, and goaltender Adam Scheel jumped straight from UND to the Dallas Stars organization this past year. Both guys got playing time with the American Hockey League affiliate, the Texas Stars.
Here is the list of all current Stars who have played in the NCAAs. This list also includes Andrew Cogliano from the Michigan Wolverines, Jamie Oleksiak from the Northeastern Huskies, and Joel Hanley who used to play for UMASS aka Massachusetts (who just won their first national championship back in April). Also included is Marty Turco. Goaltender of the 1998 championship Michigan team.
The Stars have also had a few players who were on that 1999 Stanley Cup team that played for (and won a championship with) North Dakota as well. Ed Belfour, Craig Ludwig, and Tony Hrkac. Brett Hull also played for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.
NCAA hockey has been producing NHL talent for many decades. It is good for the league to become more of a development league for the NH. It’s also something that should be getting more exposure from all of the hockey world.
Featured photo: Glenn James/NHL via Getty Images
