Boston College Athletics

14 Former Eagles Make NHL Rosters for Opening Night
January 13, 2021 | Men's Hockey
The NHL's shortened 56-game regular season begins tonight
BOSTON – A total of 14 former Boston College men's hockey players appear on NHL rosters ahead of opening night as the league begins its shortened 56-game regular season tonight.
The opening game of the NHL season will feature defensemen Brian Dumoulin and Mike Matheson of the Pittsburgh Penguins against forward Kevin Hayes and the Philadelphia Flyers at 5:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network.
Thatcher Demko (Vancouver) and Zach Sanford (St. Louis) begin their 2021 campaigns at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. respectively, with Sanford's Blues appearing on NBCSN against Colorado.
BC had 20 different players appear in the NHL during the 2019-20 regular season, which was tied for first in college hockey. Over the last decade, the Eagles lead the nation in cumulative alumni who have reached the NHL level.
Boston College ranks second in NCAA history with 20 names on the Stanley Cup. A former Eagle has hoisted Lord Stanley in four of the last five seasons: Brian Dumoulin (Pittsburgh • 2016, 2017), Brooks Orpik (Washington • 2018), and Zach Sanford (St. Louis • 2019).
EAGLES ON NHL OPENING NIGHT ROSTERS
The opening game of the NHL season will feature defensemen Brian Dumoulin and Mike Matheson of the Pittsburgh Penguins against forward Kevin Hayes and the Philadelphia Flyers at 5:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network.
Thatcher Demko (Vancouver) and Zach Sanford (St. Louis) begin their 2021 campaigns at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. respectively, with Sanford's Blues appearing on NBCSN against Colorado.
BC had 20 different players appear in the NHL during the 2019-20 regular season, which was tied for first in college hockey. Over the last decade, the Eagles lead the nation in cumulative alumni who have reached the NHL level.
Boston College ranks second in NCAA history with 20 names on the Stanley Cup. A former Eagle has hoisted Lord Stanley in four of the last five seasons: Brian Dumoulin (Pittsburgh • 2016, 2017), Brooks Orpik (Washington • 2018), and Zach Sanford (St. Louis • 2019).
EAGLES ON NHL OPENING NIGHT ROSTERS
| Player | Position | Team |
| Cam Atkinson | F | Columbus |
| Thatcher Demko | G | Vancouver |
| Brian Dumoulin | D | Pittsburgh |
| Johnny Gaudreau | F | Calgary |
| Nathan Gerbe | F | Columbus |
| Noah Hanifin | D | Calgary |
| Kevin Hayes | F | Philadelphia |
| Chris Kreider | F | NY Rangers |
| Mike Matheson | D | Pittsburgh |
| Zach Sanford | F | St. Louis |
| Alex Tuch | F | Vegas |
| Oliver Wahlstrom | F | NY Islanders |
| Colin White | F | Ottawa |
| Miles Wood | F | New Jersey |
Players Mentioned
Men’s Hockey: New Hampshire Press Conference (Head Coach Greg Brown - Jan. 23, 2026)
Saturday, January 24
Men’s Hockey: New Hampshire Press Conference (Dean Letourneau - Jan. 23, 2026)
Saturday, January 24
Men’s Hockey: Providence Press Conference (Head Coach Greg Brown - Jan. 16, 2026)
Saturday, January 17
BC Men's Hockey All-Access
Saturday, December 27


















