Badgers in the NHL: Frederic makes season debut

MADISON, Wis. — A quarter of the way into the 2019-20 NHL season, the Boston Bruins have been hit with an unfortunate string of injuries, most recently adding top-line center Patrice Bergeron to that list. Looking to Providence for some roster support, Boston called up former Wisconsin Badger Trent Frederic (2016-18) last week to make his season debut.

Frederic joined 14 other former Badgers in playing in the NHL this season when he skated in last Friday night's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Although his first call up this season, the forward made his NHL debut in a 15 game stint with the Bruins towards the end of the 2018-19 season. Frederic's performance with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League identifies him as a promising prospect, boasting 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points in 55 games last season.

The Bruins selected the Missouri-native in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

During his freshmen season at the University of Wisconsin, Frederic put up an impressive 15 goals and 33 points in 33 games and was named the Big Ten's Rookie of the Year. His performance and leadership earned him the title of alternate captain his sophomore year, finishing above the 30 point mark for the second time with 32 points.

At 21 years old, Frederic already has a notable hockey resume. He claimed the bronze medal at the 2016 Under-18 World Championship as a star member of the U.S. Under-18 National team, contributing four goals and seven points in seven games. Frederic finished fourth in goals (20) and fifth in points (40) with the NTDP Under-18 team in 2016. As a sophomore with the Badgers, Frederic repped Team USA once more, competing at the 2018 World Junior Championship. He recorded five goals in the seven tournament games, receiving the Player of the Game Award in the bronze medal matchup, leading Team USA to a 9-3 victory over the Czech Republic.

Frederic was returned to Providence on Monday after two games with Boston.

Across the league, Derek Stepan (2008-10), another former Badger, is making his mark on the score sheet just a quarter of the way into the season. The Arizona Coyotes forward had back-to-back games with a goal this week, putting the puck in the net against the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames. Stepan has four goals and eight points in 22 games this season.

Joe Pavelski, in his first year with the Dallas Stars after 13 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, posted a pair of multi-point games this past week and looks like he is getting more comfortable with his new teammates.

This weekend, the Badgers are heading to Minneapolis to face off against conference-rival Minnesota on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Friday's game airs on FOX Sports Wisconsin and FOX Sports North, while Saturday's game is on FOX Sports Wisconsin+ and FOX Sports North+.

University of Wisconsin Athletics

Badgers in the NHL: Frederic makes season debut

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