Representatives of Hockey East Schools Heavily Involved in Championship Contenders
Hockey East Alumni Featured in Stanley Cup Final
Representatives of Hockey East Schools Heavily Involved in Championship Contenders

WAKEFIELD, Mass. - The Hockey East Association is guaranteed to boast at least one 2019 Stanley Cup champion, as seven alumni representing four universities have begun their chance to win the National Hockey League's top prize at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. A full list of the players can be found below.

The Boston Bruins roster claims five of those players, including four that helped the Bruins to a 4-2 win in game one Monday night in Noel Acciari (Providence, 2012-15), Charlie Coyle (Boston University, 2010-11), Matt Grzelcyk (Boston University, 2012-16), and Charlie McAvoy (Boston University, 2015-17), Additionally, Kevan Miller (Vermont, 2007-11) has missed all 17 playoff games this year with an injury, while Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson (Boston University, 2015-17) played in 28 games for the Bruins in 2018-19 before departing the team to return to his native Sweden, and Anders Bjork (Notre Dame, 2014-17), Paul Carey (Boston College, 2008-12), Ryan Fitzgerald (Boston College, 2013-17) are all in the Bruins minor league system.

Hockey East has an even stronger presence in the Bruins' front office as Executive Director of Player Personnel John Ferguson (Providence, 1985-89), Assistant Coaches Jay Pandolfo (Boston University, 1992-96), Joe Sacco (Boston University, 1987-90), Kevin Dean (New Hampshire, 1987-91), Goaltending Development Coach Mike Dunham (Maine, 1990-93), and Skating Consultant Kim Brandvold (UMass Lowell, 2002-06) all played in Hockey East.

Boston College's Zach Sanford (2014-16) has appeared in 60 games for St. Louis this season a nd in three games during the Blues' playoff run. In the front office, the Blues carry Amateur Scout Keith Tkachuk (Boston University, 1990-91). St. Louis also has four players in their minor league system who were developed in Hockey East, including Bryan Flynn (Maine, 2008-12), Erik Foley (Providence, 2015-18), Nolan Stevens (Northeastern, 2014-18), and Jake Walman (Providence, 2014-17.)

Last season, the champion Washington Capitals' roster featured two former Hockey East players, Boston College's Brooks Orpik (1998-2001) and Boston University's Alex Chiasson (2009-12). Orpik helped the Eagles to the 2001 NCAA championship, while Chiasson led the Terriers in scoring for two of his three seasons on campus. In 2017, a record seven players on the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins had roots in Hockey East, including Nick Bonino (BU, 2007-10), Brian Dumoulin (BC, 2009-12), Ron Hainsey (UML, 1999-2001), Chad Ruhwedel (UML, 2010-13), Bryan Rust (ND, 2013-14), Conor Sheary (UMass, 2010-14), and Scott Wilson (UML, 2011-14).


Hockey East Alumni in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final

Boston College - Zach Sanford (STL)

Boston University - Charlie Coyle (BOS), Matt Grzelcyk (BOS), Charlie McAvoy (BOS)

Providence - Noel Acciari (BOS)

Vermont - Kevan Miller (BOS)