FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NHL OPENING NIGHT ROSTERS FEATURE 12 ALUMNI FROM CURRENT WCHA MEMBER SCHOOLS Eight current WCHA institutions represented, spanning 11 NHL clubs

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Oct. 5, 2017 – As the puck drops tonight on the 2017-18 (NHL) season, 12 alumni from current Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) member schools are on opening night rosters. These former student-athletes, representing eight WCHA institutions, are playing on 11 different NHL clubs.

“There is nothing quite like the start of a new season for a hockey fan – and it is a singular thrill for a player to line up on a NHL Opening Night,” said WCHA President and Men’s League Commissioner Bill Robertson. “We are incredibly proud of anyone over the last 65 seasons that has advanced from the WCHA to represent the league, his school and college hockey at the sport’s highest professional level. While we look forward to watching the upcoming NHL season, we are even more excited to watch the next generation of pros hone their skills in WCHA rinks each weekend.”

The 2014-15 WCHA Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Tanner Kero (Michigan Tech) and Colton Parayko (Alaska), are set to continue their NHL careers with the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues, respectively. They will be joined by a pair of State alumni in veteran David Backes () and Tyler Pitlick (), former Alaska Anchorage forward Jay Beagle (), one-time Bemidji State blue-liner Brad Hunt (), Ryan Carpenter () – who completed his four-year Bowling Green career during the Falcons’ first WCHA campaign – and, a teammate of Kero’s at Tech, Jujhar Khaira ().

The 2017-18 group also features Ferris State legend Chris Kunitz, the only active NHL player with four titles, who joins the after winning back-to-back championships with Pittsburgh. Former Alabama Huntsville Cam Talbot is back in Edmonton’s net after setting the Oilers’ single-season record with 42 regular season wins last season. Fellow netminder Chad Johnson (Alaska) is with the Buffalo Sabres, while veteran Bowling Green alumnus Kevin Bieksa will skate with the .

A full list of the 12 current WCHA member institution alumni on 2017-18 NHL opening night rosters follows on the next page.

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WCHA-affiliated players on 2017-18 NHL Opening Night Rosters Player, Pos. NHL Team School (Years) Cam Talbot, G Edmonton Oilers Alabama Huntsville (2008-10) Jay Beagle, F Washington Capitals Alaska Anchorage (2006-07) Chad Johnson, G Buffalo Sabres Alaska (2006-09) Colton Parayko, D St. Louis Blues Alaska (2013-15) Brad Hunt, D Vegas Golden Knights Bemidji State (2009-12) Kevin Bieksa, D Anaheim Ducks Bowling Green (2001-04) Ryan Carpenter, F San Jose Sharks Bowling Green (2012-14) Chris Kunitz, F Tampa Bay Lightning Ferris State (2000-03) Tanner Kero, F Michigan Tech (2012-15) Jujhar Khaira, F Edmonton Oilers Michigan Tech (2013) David Backes, F Boston Bruins Minnesota State (2004-06) Tyler Pitlick, F Dallas Stars Minnesota State (2010)

About the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, among the most historic, tradition-rich and successful conferences in all of collegiate athletics, will proudly mark its 66th season of men’s competition in 2017- 18. The 10-team Division 1 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), (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.

MEDIA CONTACT Matt Hodson Associate Commissioner for Public Relations E: [email protected] O: 952.681.7668 M: 612.801.2808

MORE INFORMATION Website: wcha.com Twitter: @wcha_mhockey Facebook: facebook.com/wchahockey Instagram: @wcha_mhockey WCHA.tv: portal.stretchinternet.com/wcha/

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