102 Hockey East Alumni Begin Chase For The Stanley Cup

AMESBURY, Mass. - The Hockey East Association will once again be the most well-represented college hockey conference in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with 102 league alumni set to contend for the NHL’s top prize in 2022. The alumni include 42 active players and 60 staff and front office members, with at least one representative from 12 different institutions. A full list of players can staff can be found below.

Hockey East has more front office and coaching staff representatives than any other conference in this year’s playoffs, while the 42 active players are the most alumni of any college league. Of the more than 120 NCAA alumni on NHL playoff rosters, Hockey East accounts for over one-third of those players.

Fourteen of the 16 clubs that qualified for the playoffs have at least one Hockey East alumni on their roster, and all 16 playoff teams have at least one Hockey East alumni on the coaching staff or front office.

The 42 active players represent 10 different institutions, with Boston College and Massachusetts boasting a league-leading nine representatives each. Boston University claims seven alumni, while New Hampshire sits at fourth-most with four former players entering the playoffs. Maine, Northeastern, and Providence have three products each and UMass Lowell and Vermont each claim one former player. Two Notre Dame alumni also competed in Hockey East.

Among NHL playoff teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins hold the title for the most Hockey East alumni on their roster, with seven players hailing from five different programs. The New York Rangers have the second-most with five former league players on their playoff roster, while the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers each claim four Hockey East alumni on their playoff squads. The 2017 Pittsburgh Penguins hold the record for the Stanley Cup Champion with the most Hockey East alumni, as seven developed players raised the Cup that season.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin after a historic 2021-22 season for Hockey East alumni in the NHL. In total, 109 Hockey East alumni appeared in at least one NHL game, representing nearly one-third of the 347 NCAA alumni to play in the NHL last season. All 11 current men’s member institutions had at least one former player represented. In addition, all 32 NHL teams had at least one Hockey East product in the lineup at some point during the regular season. Hockey East claimed six 2022 NHL All-Stars, and boasts over 100 NHL players for the second year in a row.

Last season, current Tampa Bay Lightning and former Vermont forward Ross Colton scored the series-clinching goal in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals for Tampa Bay, which marked the 11th-straight season a former Hockey East player has lifted the Cup. Colton is a former All-Hockey East honorable mention, and he is a part of a Tampa team looking for their third straight title.

In all, 40 NCAA schools had alumni see action for the 16 playoff teams during the regular season.

In addition to the 126 NCAA alumni listed on NHL playoff rosters, half of the 16 qualifying teams were assembled by general managers who played college hockey: Boston’s Don Sweeney (Harvard), Carolina’s Don Waddell (Northern Michigan), Florida’s Bill Zito (Yale), Los Angeles’ Rob Blake (Bowling Green), Minnesota’s Bill Guerin (Boston College), Nashville’s David Poile (Northeastern), New York’s Chris Drury (Boston University) and Washington’s Brian MacLellan (Bowling Green).

Four of the qualifying teams are coached by ex-NCAA standouts: Carolina’s Rod Brind’Amour (Michigan State), Edmonton’s Jay Woodcroft (Alabama-Huntsville, brother of Vermont Head Coach Todd Woodcroft), Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan (Boston University) and Washington’s Peter Laviolette (Westfield State).

Boston Bruins

Players- Jeremy Swayman, (Maine, 2017-20); Charlie Coyle (Boston University, 2010-11), Matt Grzelcyk (Boston University, 2012-16), Charlie McAvoy (Boston University, 2015-17)
Assistant Coach Joe Sacco – Boston University (1987-90)
Assistant Coach Kevin Dean – New Hampshire (1987-91)
Goaltending Development Coach Mike Dunham – Maine (1990-93)
Skating Consultant Kim Brandvold – UMass Lowell (2002-06)

Calgary Flames

Players- Johnny Gaudreau (Boston College, 2011-14), Noah Hanifin (Boston College, 2014-15)
Pro Scout Steve Pleau – New Hampshire (1992-96)

Carolina Hurricanes

Players- Brett Pesce (New Hampshire, 2012-15)
Defensemen Development Peter Harrold – Boston College (2002-06)
Pro Scout Bobby Jay – Merrimack (1984-88)

Colorado Avalanche

Players- Cale Makar (Massachusetts, 2017-19), Alex Newhook (Boston College, 2019-21), Josh Manson (Northeastern, 2011-14)
Development Coach Brett Clark – Maine (1995-96)
Scout Neil Shea – Boston College (1982-86)

Dallas Stars

Players- Jake Oettinger (Boston University, 2016-19), Joel Hanley (Massachusetts 2010-14)
Director, Hockey Strategy/Scouting & Development Steve Greeley – Boston University (2000-04)
Amateur Scout Buddy Powers – Boston University (1972-75)

Edmonton Oilers

Players- Devin Shore (Maine, 2012-15), Warren Foegele (New Hampshire, 2014-15)
Chairman Bob Nicholson – Providence
Amateur Scout Scott Harlow – Boston College (1982-86)

Florida Panthers

Players- Spencer Knight (Boston College, 2019-21), Noel Acciari (Providence 2012-15), Brandon Montour (Massachusetts, 2014-15), Ryan Lomberg (Maine, 2012-14)
Senior Advisor to the General Manager Paul Fenton – Boston University (1979-82)
Manager, Player Development Mike Ryan – Northeastern (1999-2003)
Pro Scout Patrick Eaves – Boston College (2002-05)
Amateur Scout P.J. Fenton – Massachusetts (2004-08)
Amateur Scout Josh Monk – Providence (2013-17)
Amateur Scout Bill Ryan – Maine (2004-08)

Los Angeles Kings

Players- Jonathan Quick (Massachusetts, 2005-07), Cal Peterson (Notre Dame, 2014-17)
AHL Scout/Growth & Inclusion Specialist Blake Bolden – Boston College (2009-13)

Minnesota Wild

Players- Matt Boldy (Boston College, 2019-21), Jordan Greenway (Boston University 2015-18), Brandon Duhaime (Providence, 2016-19)
General Manager Bill Guerin – Boston College (1989-91)
Director, Pro Scouting Chris Kelleher – Boston University (1994-98)
Pro Scout Mark Mowers – New Hampshire (1994-98)
AHL Head Coach Tim Army – Providence (1981-85)

Nashville Predators

Players- Matt Benning (Northeastern, 2013-16), Jeremy Davies (Northeastern, 2016-19), Dante Fabbro (Boston University, 2016-19)
President of Hockey Operations David Poile – Northeastern (1967-70)
Assistant General Manager, Director of Scouting Jeff Kealty – Boston University (1994-98)
Assistant General Manager, Director of Hockey Operations Brian Poile – Boston College (1996-97)
Chief Amateur Scout Tom Nolan – New Hampshire (1993-98)
Pro Scout Doug Janik – Maine (1998-2001)
Pro Scout Rob Cowie – Northeastern (1987-91)
Defense Development Coach Rob Scuderi – Boston College (1997-01)
Head Coach John Hynes – Boston University (1994-97)

New York Rangers

Players- Zac Jones (Massachusetts 2019-21), Kevin Rooney (Providence, 2012-16), Chris Kreider (Boston College, 2009-12), Justin Braun (Massachusetts, 2006-10), Frank Vatrano (Massachusetts, 2013-15)
President & General Manager Chris Drury – Boston University (1994-98)
Hockey Operations Advisor Mike Grier – Boston University (1993-96)
Pro Scout Gordie Clark – New Hampshire (1971-74)
Amateur Scout Brendon Clark – Merrimack (2001-05)

Pittsburgh Penguins

Players- Casey DeSmith (New Hampshire, 2011-14), Chad Ruhwedel (UMass Lowell, 2010-13), Mike Matheson (Boston College, 2012-15), Brian Dumoulin (Boston College, 2009-12), Evan Rodrigues (Boston University, 2011-15), Brian Boyle (Boston College, 2003-07), Bryan Rust (Notre Dame, 2010-14)
President, Hockey Operations Brian Burke – Providence (1973-77)
Director, Player Development Scott Young – Boston University (1985-87)
Coach Mike Sullivan – Boston University (1986-90)
Skating & Skills Development Coach Ty Hennes – Boston College (2000-04)
Director, Player Personnel Chris Pryor – New Hampshire (1979-83)
Director, Amateur Scouting Nick Pryor – Maine (2009-13)
Amateur Scout Jay Heinbuck – Northeastern (1982-86)
Amateur Scout Matt Mangene – Maine (2009-12)
Special Assignment Scout Kevin Stevens – Boston College (1983-87)
AHL Head Coach J.D. Forrest – Boston College (2000-04)

St. Louis Blues

President and CEO, Business Operations Chris Zimmerman – Vermont (1977-81)
Director, Player Recruitment Keith Tkachuk – Boston University (1990-91)
Assistant Coach Jim Montgomery – Maine (1989-93)

Tampa Bay Lightning

Players- Ross Colton (Vermont, 2016-18)
Pro Scout Stephen Gionta – Boston College (2002-06)
Amateur Scout Brian Putnam – New Hampshire (1993-97)

Toronto Maple Leafs

Director, Amateur Scouting/Assistant Director, Player Personnel Wes Clark – Maine (2004-08)
Amateur Scout Jim Vesey – Merrimack (1984-88)
AHL Head Coach Greg Moore – Maine (2002-06)

Washington Capitals

Players- Matt Irwin (Massachusetts, 2008-10), Trevor van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire, 2011-14), Conor Sheary (Massachusetts, 2010-14)
Player Development Brooks Orpik – Boston College (1998-2001)
Scout Rich Alger – Massachusetts (1993-94), Boston University (1995-97)
Scout A.J. Toews – Northeastern (1996-98)
Manager, Hockey Analytics H.T. Lenz – Vermont (2010-14)
AHL Assistant Coach Steve Bergin – Connecticut (2007-11)