UPDATED: Former College Hockey Players in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs (5/14/2013)

Here is the list of NHL hockey players that are currently playing in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffsthat have played college hockey (Division I & III).

The players are listed by their NHL team. These are players that have played in at least “one” Stanley Cup Playoff game during in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I have also listed their point totals as well.

This list doesn’t include players that are currently injured or that on their teams roster, but haven’t played at least one Stanley Cup Playoff games yet.  I will update the list weekly.

Former Wisconsin Badgers forward Joe Pavelski, leads all former college hockey players with (4g-4a—8pts). What’s impressive is that he did this in only four games.

Anaheim Ducks (Eliminated 4-3 by the Detroit Red Wings)

Kyle Palmieri, F, Notre Dame, 7GP, (3g-2a—5pts)

Nick Bonino, F, Boston University, 7GP, (3g-1a—4pts)

Andrew Cogliano, F, University of Michigan, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Ben Lovejoy, D, Dartmouth, 7GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

David Steckel, F, Ohio State, 7GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Daniel Winnik, F, New Hampshire, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Boston Bruins

Richard Peverley, F, St. Lawrence University, 5 GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Matt Bartkowski, D, Ohio State, 2GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 5GP, (5g-1a—6pts)

Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 5GP, (1g-4a—5pts)

Jonathon Toews,F,  North Dakota, 5GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Victor Stalberg, F, Vermont, 5GP, (0G-1A—1pts)

Nick Leddy, D, Minnesota, 5GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Brandon Bollig, F, St. Lawrence, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Detroit Red Wings

Brendan Smith, F, Wisconsin, 7GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Gustav Nyquist, F, Maine, 7GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Patrick Eaves, F, Boston College, 6GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Justin Abdelkader, F, Michigan State, 5GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Danny Dekeyser, D, Western Michigan, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jimmy Howard, G, Maine, 4-3, .911 SV%, 2.65 GAA

LA Kings

Alec Martinez, D, Miami, 4Gp, (0g-2a—2tps)

Dustin Penner, F, Maine, 4GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Rob Scuderi, D, Boston College, 6GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Jonathan Quick, UMass, 6GP, 4-2, .944 SV% 1.58 GAA

Minnesota Wild (Eliminated 4-1 by the Blackhawks)

Matt Cullen, F, St. Cloud, 5GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Jason Zucker, F, Denver, 5GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Charlie Coyle, F, Boston University, 5GP, (0a-2a—2pts)

Zach Parise, F, North Dakota, 5GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Torrey Mitchell, F, Vermont, 5GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Tom Gilbert, D, Wisconsin, 5GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ryan Suter, D, Wisconsin, 5GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Montreal Canadiens (Eliminated 4-1 by the Senators)

Rene Bourque, F, Wisconsin, 5GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Brian Gionta, F, Boston College, 2GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Jeff Halpern, F, Princeton University, 3GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Max Pacioretty, F, Michigan, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

New York Islanders (Eliminated 4-2 by the Penguins)

Kyle Okposo, F, Minnesota, 6GP, (3g-1a—4pts)

Matt Moulson, F, Cornell, 6GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Colin McDonald, F, Providence, 6GP, (3g-1a—3pts)

Keith Aucoin, F, Norwich University, 6GP, (0a-3a—3pts)

Brad Strait, D, Boston University, 6GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Marty Reasoner, F, Boston College, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Brock Nelson, F, North Dakota, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

New York Rangers

Carl Hagelin, F, Michigan, 7GP, (2g-2a—4pts)

Brian Boyle, F, Boston College, 6GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Derek Stepan, F, Wisconsin, 7GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Ryan McDonagh, D, Wisconsin, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Darroll Powe, F, Princeton, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Chris Kreider, F, Boston College, 3 GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Ottawa Senators

Kyle Turris, F, Wisconsin, 5 GP, (3g-2a—5pts)

Erik Condra, F, Notre Dame, 5GP, (1g-3a—4pts)

Cory Conacher, F, Canisius College 4GP, (3g-0a—3pts)

Eric Gryba, D, Boston University, 3Gp, (0g-0a—0pts)

Patrick Wiercioch, D, Denver, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Pittsburgh Penguins

Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 6Gp, (2g-a—5pts)

Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 6GP, (1g-5a—6pts)

Mark Eaton, D, Notre Dame, 4GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Douglas Murray, D, Cornell, 6GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Craig Adams, F, Harvard, 6GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tanner Glass, F, Dartmouth, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Beau Bennett, F, Denver, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Matt Niskanen, D, Duluth, 6GP, (0g-1a—1pts)
Brooks Orpik, D, Boston College, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

San Jose Sharks

Joe Pavelski, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (4g-4a—8pts)

Dan Boyle, D, Miami, 4GP, (1g-3a—4pts)

Tommy Wingels, F, Miami, 4GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Justin Braun, D, UMass, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Matt Irwin, D, UMass, 4GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tim Kennedy, F, Michigan State, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Adam Burish, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

T.J. Galiardi, F, Dartmouth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

St. Louis Blues (Eliminated 4-2 by the L.A. King)

David Backes, F, Minnesota State, 6GP, (1g-2a—3pts)

T.J. Oshie, F, North Dakota, 4GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Kevin Shattenkirk, D, Boston University, 6GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Chris Porter, F, North Dakota, 6GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Jaden Schwartz, F, Colorado College, 6GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Jordan Leopold, D, Minnesota, 6GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Andy McDonald, D, Colgate, 6GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Brian Elliott, G, Wisconsin, 6GP, 2-4, .919 SV% 1.90

Toronto Maple Leafs (Eliminated 4-3 by the Boston Bruins)

James Van Riemsdyk, F, New Hampshire, 7GP, (2g-5a—7pts)

Phil Kessel, F, Minnesota, 7GP, (4g-2a—6pts)

Jake Gardiner, D, Wisconsin, 6GP, (1g-4a—5pts)

Matt Frattin, F, North Dakota, 6GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Tyler Bozak, F, Denver, 5GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

John-Michael Liles, D, Michigan State, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ryan O’Byrne, D, Cornell, 6GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Michael Kostka, D, UMass, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Joe Colborne, F, Denver, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Vancouver Canucks (Eliminated 4-0 by the Sharks)

Ryan Kessler, F, Ohio State, 4GP, (2g-0a—2pts)

Kevin Bieksa, D, Bowling Green, 4GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Andrew Alberts, D, Boston College, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Chris Higgins, F, Yale, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Mason Raymond, F, Duluth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Andrew Ebbett, F, Michigan, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jason Garrison, D, Duluth, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Cory Schneider, G, Boston College, 2GP, 0-2, .880 SV%, 4.62 GAA

Washington Capitals (Eliminated 4-3 by the New York Rangers)

Jay Beagle, F, Anchorage, 7GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Jack Hillen, F, Colorado College, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Steven Oleksy, D, Lake Superior State, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Matt Hendricks, F, Saint Cloud, 7GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Cross-Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.

Wheeler is going to the Bruins.

The Bruins have won the Blake Wheeler sweepstakes and will sign him to a professional contract on the 1st of July. Yeah OK, good for Blake Wheeler. Personally I am happy for Blake but I don't ever see him playing in a Claude Julien system. If Brandon Bochenski isn't good enough to play for the Bruins how in the heck is Wheeler going to make the line up on a regular basis? Coach Julien is a task member that has no patience for players that don't work hard and give 100 percent on each shift. Just for the record Blake Wheeler wasn't half the player Brandon Bochenski was in college.

Blake Wheeler, the highly-sought winger from the University of Minnesota, has advised his agent to finalize terms of a contract with the Bruins, a two-year deal that won’t be made official until July 1, in keeping with NHL bylaws that govern the movement and signing of unrestricted free agents.

"More than 20 NHL teams were interested in Blake, and this was a very tough decision,’’ said Wellesley-based agent Matt Keator, who also represents Boston captain Zdeno Chara. "And ultimately it came down to a few things for Blake, but mostly that he was comfortable with where the Bruins were headed as an organization — how this year they brought along kids like David Krejci, Milan Lucic, and Mark Stuart. They’ve done a good job of developing kids, and he wants to continue along that line.’’

Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli, reached via email, wrote that he was pleased that Wheelers chose the Bruins. "Of course, ‘’ added Chiarelli, "we can’t sign him until July 1, but we look forward to getting him in the mix. Any time you can get a young player of Blake’s caliber with that blend of size and skill, you are very fortunate.’’

Wheeler, 21 years old and 6 feet 4 inches, 220 pounds, was drafted No. 5 overall by the Coyotes in 2004 and long has been considered a potential power forward in the NHL. Just over a month ago, in the wake of his junior season with the Golden Gophers, he announced that he would turn pro and intended to exercise the right to be a free agent if he could not come to contract terms with the Coyotes.

Only in rare instances do college players become free agents. But Wheeler, because he played a year of junior hockey before joining UMinn, was eligible to exercise his right to become UFA prior to July 1, because four years had lapsed since his draft day. Once officially a free agent as of June 8, he began to field bids from around the league, and just last week cut down to four teams — believed to be the Bruins, Canadiens, Rangers, and either the Devils or Wild.
<-Read the rest of the story here ->

Goalie masks.

I found this interesting article on the various goaltender's masks over on the fan house. Check out all of the art work. It is nice to see the former NCAA stars: Rick DiPietro, Tim Thomas, Ryan Miller, Marty Turco and Ed Belfour's

The first picture is former Michigan State goalie and Hobey Baker Winner Ryan Miller mask.

Goalie Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at HSBC Arena on September 30, 2006 in Buffalo, New York

Former University of Vermont and current Boston Bruins all star goalie Tim Thomas.

Boston Bruins net minder Tim Thomas used to wear this cage with a "Beware of Bear" sign on the side, but he has changed his mask this season to reflect the team's uniform change.

Here former BU star Rick DiPietro's mask is in my opinion one of the nicest goalie masks in the NHL. Dipietro's mask has a very patriot theme to it.

NHL Goalie Masks: Rick DiPietro
Massachusetts native Rick DiPietro honors U.S. veterans with his patriotic mask. The goalie's dad says "It honors the flag and honors my service. It means a lot to me as a father."

Fighting Sioux fans will remember this guys mask. This is the mask that Eddie the Eagles first wore when he broke into the NHL

Eagle Mask
Throughout his career, Belfour has worn masks featuring an eagle on either side of his helmet. When asked why an eagle, he stated "I've always liked the eagle as a bird. It is a strong figure representing individuality, leadership, confidence, and outstanding vision. Its hunting and aggression are characteristics I admire, So when I was thinking of what I wanted on my mask, the eagle was a natural choice". Belfour's eagle has changed dramatically, from a rough Native looking style in Chicago, to a fierce competitive image in Dallas, while the background always features his current team's colours. On the chin, there is an image of the logo for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity very close to Eddie's heart, and the back plate highlights Eddie's passion for speed and restored cars. The car on the back is a 1941 Willys, along with the words Carman Racing, which is the name of Ed's Car customization and restoration shop in Freeland, Michigan. Upon seeing Belfour's eagle mask for the first time, Mike Keenan, his head coach when he started in the NHL, nicknamed him "The Eagle".[5]

Parise Goes Bruin Hunting.

I am sitting in my living room last night watching the Bruins and Devils game and when the Bruins went up 3-0, I decided to call Sioux_7 and B.J. to rub it in. I figured there was no way the Bruins would choke away a three goal lead in the Claude Julian defensive system. Boy was I wrong. It was Parise that took the Devils on his back and went to work. When it was all said and done Zach Parise was 2-2-4 and a +3 for the night. Seems Julian forgot to have his Bruins check Parise.

Bruins Starter Tim Thomas Hurt

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY -- Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas left Wednesday's game against the New Jersey Devils with 1:10 remaining in the third period with an apparent ankle injury. Rookie Tuukka Rask replaced Thomas with the game tied at 3-3.

Bruins acquire G Auld from Coyotes

BOSTON-- In desperate need of help between the pipes, the Boston Bruins on Thursday acquired goaltender Alex Auld from the Phoenix Coyotes for right wing Nate DiCasmirro and a 2009 fifth-round draft pick.

In my opinion, the Boston Bruins got the short end of this deal. I can't believe the general manager for the Bruins would make this deal. The Bruins lose a 5 round draft choice for a proven second rate goalie. Nice! I have a hard time believing that Alex Auld is the best option out there.

Bochenski in the Bruins Dog House

It would appear that former UND Fighting Sioux forward Brandon Bochenski might be looking for a new home soon. After missing the last two games as a healthy scratch it appears that Bochenski's welcome in Boston is coming to and end. Bochenski has given Julian little reason to keep him in the line up; Bo has 0 goals and 4 assists in 15 games. For what ever reason Bochenski has become Claude Julian's whipping boy in Boston. Since Bochenski isn't scoring any goals or beating anyone up ala Milan Lucic, Bochenski is sitting.

Former Badger Adam Burish vs Byron Ritchie

This is a great fight that I first saw this morning over on the NHL network. I didn't realize that Burish was that great of a fighter, but he can hold his own...

Toews Score his first NHL Goal

I just watched this goal for the first time, man what a move. One could say that this is probably the first of many goals to come during his NHL career. Now I see what everyone was ranting and raving about.