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FOURTEEN WCHA ALUMNI DOT NHL ROSTERS AS THE 2019-20 SEASON GETS UNDERWAY Eight of the WCHA’s 10 teams boast alumni on league rosters
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Oct. 4, 2019 – With the opening of the 2019-20 National Hockey League season this week, 14 alumni from current Western Collegiate Hockey Association member schools were on opening night rosters. These former student-athletes, representing eight WCHA institutions, are playing on 12 different NHL clubs.
Former Alaska defenseman Colton Parayko, who skated the Stanley Cup with St. Louis last season, returns to anchor the Blues’ backline. Former Alaska Anchorage forward Jay Beagle, who was a key member of the Washington Capitals’ Stanley Cup run two seasons ago, is in his second season with the Vancouver Canucks. Minnesota State alum David Backes returns to Boston after helping the Bruins to the Eastern Conference championship a year ago.
Backes is one of three MSU alumni on NHL rosters, joining Teddy Blueger (Pittsburgh) and Tyler Pitlick (IR- Philadelphia). Other WCHA programs with multiple alumni in the league are Bemidji State (Brad Hunt, Minnesota Wild; Zach Whitecloud, IR- Vegas Golden Knights); Bowling Green (Ryan Carpenter, Chicago Blackhawks; Sean Walker, Los Angeles Kings) and Michigan Tech (Jujhar Khaira, Edmonton Oilers; Matt Roy, Los Angeles Kings; Pheonix Copley, Washington Capitals). Alabama Huntsville goaltender Cam Talbot (Calgary Flames) and Lake Superior State defenseman Zach Trotman (IR- Pittsburgh Penguins) round out the WCHA’s NHL contingent.
WCHA-Affiliated Players on 2019-20 NHL Opening Night Rosters Player, Pos. NHL Team School (Years) Cam Talbot, G Calgary Flames Alabama Huntsville (2007-10) Jay Beagle, F Vancouver Canucks Alaska Anchorage (2005-07) Colton Parayko, D St. Louis Blues Alaska (2012-15) Brad Hunt, D Minnesota Wild Bemidji State (2008-12) Zach Whitecloud, D* Vegas Golden Knights Bemidji State (2016-18) Ryan Carpenter, F Chicago Blackhawks Bowling Green (2011-14) Sean Walker, D Los Angeles Kings Bowling Green (2013-17) Zach Trotman, D* Pittsburgh Penguins Lake Superior State (2009-12) Jujhar Khaira, F Edmonton Oilers Michigan Tech (2012-13) Matt Roy, D Los Angeles Kings Michigan Tech (2014-17) Pheonix Copley, G Washington Capitals Michigan Tech (2012-14) Tyler Pitlick, F* Philadelphia Flyers Minnesota State (2009-10) David Backes, F Boston Bruins Minnesota State (2003-06) Teddy Blueger, F Pittsburgh Penguins Minnesota State (2012-16) *- Began season on IR
About the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Men’s League The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, among the most historic, tradition-rich and successful conferences in all of collegiate athletics, is marking its 68th season of men’s competition in 2019-20. The 10-team NCAA Division I conference consists of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (Chargers), the University of Alaska Anchorage (Seawolves), the University of Alaska (Nanooks), Bemidji State University (Beavers), Bowling Green State University (Falcons), Ferris State University (Bulldogs), Lake Superior State University (Lakers), Michigan Technological University (Huskies), Minnesota State University (Mavericks) and Northern Michigan University (Wildcats). For more information, visit wcha.com. - WCHA –