The growth of NCAA alumni in the NHL reached new heights this season, as a record 327 players, comprising 32.6% of the league, played in the NHL in the 2018-19 regular season and playoffs.
List of 325 Alumni in the NHL | NHL Matchup Tool
The 327 former college players in the NHL shattered the previous record of 314 (2016-17) and mark a 5.5% increase from last season. The former college players in the NHL include:
The number of NCAA alumni in the NHL has grown 55% in the last 15 years, both in terms of total number (211 in 2002-03) and percentage of all NHL players (21.1% in 2002-03).
Forty-nine of the 60 NCAA Division I schools had an alum playing in the NHL in 2018-19. Boston College and Minnesota led all schools with 22 alumni in the NHL, followed by Michigan (21), North Dakota (21) and Boston University (20). Arizona State had its first alumnus reach the NHL (Joey Daccord, Ottawa Senators).
Eleven NCAA alumni led their NHL teams in goals and/or points, led by former Hobey Baker Award-winner Johnny Gaudreau, whose 36 goals and 99 points paced the Western Conference-leading Calgary Flames. Other highlights included:
The vast majority (70%) of the 327 former college players in the NHL played at least three seasons on campus. Men’s hockey enjoys a 90% graduation rate, among the best NCAA Division I men’s sports according to the NCAA.