A total of 294 former college hockey players participated in the 2010-11 NHL regular season that concluded yesterday, an increase of 8.9% from last season and 34.4% from 10 years ago.

Former college players accounted for 30% of all players in the NHL this season, up from 21.9% in 2000-01. Among them were Tim Thomas (Vermont), who set the NHL's save percentage record (.938), and the league leaders in goals-against average (Thomas), ice time (Duncan Keith, Michigan State) and faceoffs (David Steckel, Ohio State). Thomas's former Vermont teammate Martin St. Louis ranked second in the league in points and assists, while David Backes (Minnesota State) and Kevin Bieksa (Bowling Green) were tied for second in the league in plus/minus.

"College hockey has a long history of sending players to the NHL, and it's not surprising that its influence continues to grow," said Paul Kelly, executive director of College Hockey, Inc. "Our college programs are producing exceptional athletes and terrific young men who are well equipped to make an impact at the NHL level."

Thirteen former college players participated in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game.

The 294 former college players who played in the NHL this season represented 47 colleges, led by Michigan (24), Wisconsin (20) and Boston College (17).

College hockey's impact in the NHL will continue to be felt moving forward, as already 36 players have signed NHL contracts at the conclusion of their 2010-11 college seasons - an average of more than one per NHL team. In addition, 94 current or future college players were among those listed on the Central Scouting Services rankings for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, released today.

The college season concluded Saturday with Minnesota Duluth winning the national championship in a 3-2 overtime game against Michigan in front of 19,222 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Thanks to Let's Play Hockey magazine (letsplayhockey.com) for the 2000-01 statistics on college players in the NHL