Thursday, June 16, 2011

Thomas, Peverley Put Names on Cup

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Tim Thomas and Rich Peverley are the latest former college hockey players to reach the sport’s ultimate goal, winning the Stanley Cup Wednesday night with Boston’s Game 7 victory at Vancouver.

They join a distinctive list, compiled below, of 180 former college hockey players whose names are on the Cup. This marks the 36th consecutive season that at least two college players have their name on the Cup.

Thomas became the second former college player in as many years to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff most valuable player, following Jonathan Toews. Thomas is the fifth former college player to win the trophy (Toews, Brian Leetch, Joe Nieuwendyk, Ken Dryden).

Thomas is also the fifth Vermont alumnus to win the Cup, following Martin St. Louis, John LeClair, Eric Perrin and Patrick Sharp. Peverley becomes the first former St. Lawrence player to put his name on the Cup as a player.

Three former Harvard players will have their names added to the Cup as Bruins executives: general manager Peter Chiarelli and two of his top aides, Don Sweeney and John Weisbrod.

Other former college players may not have their names added to the Cup due to NHL criteria but were part of the Bruins’ postgame celebration. Michigan’s Steve Kampfer, Ohio State’s Matt Bartkowski and Boston University’s Colby Cohen all hoisted the Cup on ice after the game in Vancouver.