Former teammates Hagelin, Pacioretty among the 14 NCAA players in Rangers, Canadiens lineups.
Carl Hagelin (left) and Max Pacioretty (above, right) combined for 26 goals as freshmen at Michigan in 2007-08.
A meeting of former Michigan Wolverine teammates highlights an impressive number of college connections in the NHL’s Eastern Conference Final, set to begin Saturday with the New York Rangers visiting Montreal for Game 1.
Max Pacioretty and Carl Hagelin, two of the more dynamic players on each roster, were freshmen together at Michigan in 2007-08. Led by Hobey Baker winner and current Buffalo Sabre Kevin Porter, that team won the CCHA regular-season and playoff championships and reached the NCAA Frozen Four in Denver.
Each has played an integral role for their teams to this point. Pacioretty, who led Montreal in goals and points in the regular season, had goals in Games 6 and 7 as the Canadiens came back to beat Boston in the conference semifinals. Hagelin shares the Ranger playoff lead in goals (4) and is tied for fifth on the team in points (7).
They are supported by a number of former college players on each roster. Eight alums have suited up in the playoffs for the Rangers, while six have played for the Canadiens.
Included in that group are three NCAA champions (Brian Gionta, Chris Kreider, Thomas Vanek), three Hobey Baker Award finalists (Gionta, Douglas Murray, Martin St. Louis) and nine All-America selections (Brian Boyle, Gionta, Hagelin, Kreider, Dominic Moore, Murray, St. Louis, Vanek, Mike Weaver). The players represent nine schools: Boston College (3), Wisconsin (3), Michigan (2), Alabama-Huntsville, Cornell, Harvard, Michigan State, Minnesota and Vermont.
Below is a look at the alums on each roster courtesy of College Hockey Inc.’s NHL Matchup Tool:
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Former Collegians
3 – Douglas Murray – Cornell (1999-2003)
A finalist for the 2002 Hobey Baker Award
Two-time first-team All-American (2002, 2003)
The ECAC Best Defensive Defenseman in 2003
Teammates included Matt Moulson, David LeNeveu
20 – Thomas Vanek – Minnesota (2002-04)
Tournament Most Outstanding Player and team’s top scorer while leading Minnesota to the 2003 NCAA championship in Buffalo
Second-team All-American in 2004
2003 WCHA Rookie of the Year
Teammates included Paul Martin, Keith Ballard
21 – Brian Gionta – Boston College (1997-2001)
Won the 2001 NCAA championship in his final college game
Four-time All-American (second-team as a freshman, first-team his last three years)
A three-time finalist for the Hobey Baker Award (1999, 2000, 2001)
Won the 2001 Walter Brown Award as the top American-born player in New England
Hockey East Player of the Year in 2001 and Rookie of the Year in 1998
The school’s career leader in goals (123); second on Boston College’s career scoring list behind only David Emma
Teammates included Marty Reasoner, Mike Mottau, Rob Scuderi, Scott Clemmensen, Brooks Orpik, Chuck Kobasew, Krys Kolanos
22 – George Parros – Princeton (2005-07)
First Princeton player to win the Stanley Cup
Never had more than 38 PIMs in a season at Princeton; never led the team in PIMs
27 – Rene Bourque – Wisconsin (2000-04)
Teammates included Dany Heatley, Brad Winchester, Tom Gilbert, Adam Burish, Ryan Suter, Jake Dowell, Brian Elliott
43 – Mike Weaver – Michigan State (1996-2000)
Twice named the CCHA’s Best Defensive Defenseman (1999, 2000)
Teammates included John-Michael Liles, Ryan Miller, Mike Weaver, Adam Hall
67 – Max Pacioretty – Michigan (2007-08)
CCHA Rookie of the Year
Teammates included Aaron Palushaj, Kevin Porter, Steve Kampfer, Chris Summers, Carl Hagelin, Chad Kolarik
NEW YORK RANGERS
Former Collegians
20 – Chris Kreider – Boston College(2009-12)
Leading scorer for the Eagles as a junior, leading them to the NCAA title at Tampa Bay Times Forum
Also won the NCAA title as a freshman in Detroit
Second-team All-Hockey East in 2012
Hockey East All-Rookie Team as a freshman
21 – Derek Stepan – Wisconsin (2008-10)
Led the Badgers in scoring and ranked second nationally as a sophomore (54 points in 41 GP)
Teammates included Ryan McDonagh, Craig Smith, Jamie McBain, Jake Gardiner, Brendan Smith
22 – Brian Boyle – Boston College (2003-07)
Two-time All-American (first-team in 2007, second-team in 2006)
MVP of the 2005 Hockey East Tournament
Teammates included Patrick Eaves, Ryan Shannon, Cory Schneider, Andrew Alberts, Nathan Gerbe, Benn Ferriero, Ben Smith, Peter Harrold
Played some defense as a senior
26 – Martin St. Louis – Vermont (1993-97)
A three-time finalist for the Hobey Baker Award (1995, 1996, 1997)
1995 ECAC Player of the Year
First-team All-American in 1995, 1996 and 1997
Led the team in scoring all four years and holds Vermont career records in points and assists
Shares school records in single-season points and assists; set records for SHG (6) and GWG (9) in 1995-96
Teammates included Tim Thomas, Eric Perrin
27 – Ryan McDonagh – Wisconsin (2007-10)
Team tri-captain and second-team All-WCHA as a junior
WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2008
Teammates included Derek Stepan, Kyle Turris, Jamie McBain, Blake Geoffrion, Davis Drewiske, Jake Gardiner, Craig Smith, Brendan Smith
28 – Dominic Moore – Harvard (1999-2003)
First-team All-American in 2003
First-team All-ECAC as a senior; second-team as a sophomore
Team captain as a senior
Ranks 10th in career goals at Harvard, 11th in career points
Played one season with his two older brothers, Steve and Mark
33 – Cam Talbot – Alabama-Huntsville (2007-10)
MVP of the 2010 College Hockey America Tournament
Second-team All-CHA in 2010
62 – Carl Hagelin – Michigan (2007-11)
The CCHA’s Best Defensive Forward in 2011
2011 Second-team All-American
Teammates included Kevin Porter, Max Pacioretty, Steve Kampfer, Aaron Palushaj, Chad Kolarik
Front Office
Owner, President and CEO Geoff Molson – St. Lawrence Dir., Player Personnel – Scott Mellanby (1984-86) Amateur Scout Bill Berglund – Boston State (1967-70) Amateur Scout Pat Westrum – Minnesota (1967-70) Pro Scout Mark Mowers – New Hampshire (1994-98)
Front Office
Video Coach Jerry Dineen – SUNY-Plattsburgh (1987-90) Director, Player Personnel Gordie Clark – New Hampshire (1971-74) Director, Pro Scouting Kevin Maxwell – North Dakota (1978-79) Amateur Scout Brendon Clark – Merrimack (2001-05) AHL Head Coach Ken Gernander – Minnesota (1987-91) AHL Assistant Coach Pat Boller – SUNY-Potsdam
In the System
Mac Bennett – Michigan(2010-14)
Team captain this year
Second-team All-Big Ten
Mike Condon – Princeton (2009-13)
Robbie Czarnik – Michigan (2008-09)
44 – Davis Drewiske – Wisconsin (2004-08)
Won the 2006 NCAA championship
Teammates included Joe Pavelski, Brian Elliott, Jake Dowell, Adam Burish, Tom Gilbert, Joe Piskula, Jack Skille, Jamie McBain, Blake Geoffrion, Kyle Turris, Ryan McDonagh
71– Louis Leblanc – Harvard (2009-10)
Led the Crimson in scoring as a freshman
64 – Greg Pateryn – Michigan (2008-12)
Teammates included Carl Hagelin, Aaron Palushaj, Chris Summers, Chris Brown
In the System
37 – Conor Allen – Massachusetts (2010-13)
Two-time member of the Hockey East All-Academic Team
41 – Stu Bickel – Minnesota (2007-08)
Teammates included Blake Wheeler, Cade Fairchild, Kyle Okposo
Mat Bodie – Union (2010-14)
Captain of the 2014 NCAA champions
First-team All-American and first-team All-ECAC Hockey selection as a senior
Third-team All-ECAC selection as a junior
39 – Ryan Haggerty – Rensselaer (2011-14)
Led ECAC Hockey and ranked fourth nationally with 28 goals as a junior
Second-team All-American and first-team All-ECAC Hockey selection
Kyle Jean – Lake Superior State (2010-12)
Danny Kristo – North Dakota(2009-13)
First-team All-American, first-team All-WCHA selection and one of 10 Hobey Baker finalists as a senior
29 – David LeNeveu – Cornell (2001-03)
Shared ECAC Hockey Player of the Year honors in 2002-03 (with Chris Higgins) when he led the nation in win percentage, GAA and save percentage
First-team All-American, first-team All-ECAC Hockey, Ken Dryden Award winner (top ECAC goalie), Hobey Baker Award finalist and ECAC Tournament MVP in 2003
Holds Cornell records for single-season (1.20) and career (1.29) GAA
Teammates included Matt Moulson, Douglas Murray
8 – Darroll Powe – Princeton (2003-07)
Team captain as a senior
Three times won Princeton’s Tucker Ironman Award for dedication to conditioning
Classmate of Kevin Westgarth
College Draft Picks
Josiah Didier – Jr., D, Denver– 4th (97), 2011
Mark MacMillan – Jr., F, North Dakota –4th (113), 2010
