Eagles Lead the Way on NHL Opening Night Rosters

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - After leading the National Hockey League with having 24 former Boston College Eagles dressing in at least one NHL game last season, BC once again paces the college hockey world with the most delegates on NHL opening night rosters with 19.

Prior to NHL franchises trimming their respective clubs to their opening night rosters, Boston College led the pack with 33 alumni earning training camp invitations, followed by Minnesota (29), Michigan (28), North Dakota (28) and Boston University (27).

As the NHL opens the regular season Wednesday night, BC's 19 representatives are two clear of Michigan (17). The remainder of the top six college hockey programs with the most representatives are as follows:

19 – Boston College (4)
17 – Michigan (0)
16 – North Dakota (1)
15 – Minnesota (1)
14 – Boston University (2)
11 – Wisconsin (0)
(Number on IR in parentheses)

Last season a record 314 NCAA alumni played in the NHL, comprising 32% of the league.

Here are the 19 Eagles and their respective NHL teams heading into the 2017-18 regular season:
- Cam Atkinson (Columbus)
- Brian Boyle (New Jersey – IR)
- Paul Carey (NY Rangers)
- Brian Dumoulin (Pittsburgh)
- Patrick Eaves (Anaheim - IR)
- Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary)
- Brian Gibbons (New Jersey)
- Noah Hanifin (Carolina)
- Jimmy Hayes (New Jersey)
- Kevin Hayes (NY Rangers)
- Chris Kreider (NY Rangers)
- Mike Matheson (Florida)
- Ian McCoshen (Florida)
- Brooks Orpik (Washington)
- Zach Sanford (St. Louis - IR)
- Steven Santini (New Jersey)
- Cory Schneider (New Jersey)
- Colin White (Ottawa - IR)
- Miles Wood (New Jersey)

Eagles Lead the Way on NHL Opening Night Rosters

Players Mentioned

Colin White

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