Nine Badgers make 2025 NHL opening-night rosters
October 07, 2025 | Men's Hockey, NHL Badgers
Former UW skaters ready to get the NHL season started
MADISON, Wis. – The 2025-26 NHL season begins on Tueday, Oct. 7, and nine former Wisconsin men's hockey players have earned a spot on opening-night rosters.
The Edmonton Oilers lead the way with multiple Badgers as forward Trent Frederic and defenseman Ty Emberson gear up for the season. In June, Frederic signed an eight-year contract with the Oilers after being traded mid-season last year by the Boston Bruins. Emberson, who made his debut with the San Jose Sharks early in 2023-24, will be skating in his second full NHL season after being traded to the Oilers in August 2024.
The squad ✔️ #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/uErtcPhutY
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 7, 2025
Forward Alex Turcotte is on the Los Angeles Kings' opening night roster. He is set to play in his second full NHL season for the Kings after skating in 68 games last year and 32 total NHL games from 2021-24.
See you tomorrow.
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 7, 2025
Full Opening Night Roster 📲 https://t.co/MuKvDrcIz0 pic.twitter.com/tILXdf0HAu
Cole Caufield returns for his sixth season as a forward with the Montreal Canadiens after tallying a career-high 37 goals and 70 points in 2024-25.
⏰ #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/1PH5YVOzx3
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 8, 2025
Defenseman K'Andre Miller is gearing up for his first season with the Hurricanes after being traded to Carolina by the New York Rangers in July 2025. After being traded, he signed an eight-year contract with the Canes.
The Opening Night squad is here 👊
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) October 6, 2025
Details » https://t.co/NACCTdYL0c pic.twitter.com/ZK29NxnHAD
Luke Kunin, a defenseman, was signed as a free agent by the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers in August after splitting the 2024-25 season with the San Jose Sharks and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Here we go again.
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 7, 2025
Your Opening Night roster ⤵️
📝 » https://t.co/LxRqexaULn pic.twitter.com/1VilQad13k
The St. Louis Blues are home to forward Dylan Holloway, where he'll play his second season in the Gateway City. Holloway had a breakout year in 2024-25, tallying a career-high 26 goals and 63 points in 77 games played to rank second on the Blues' roster in goals and third in points.
Your 2025-26 Opening Night Blues 🎶#stlblues pic.twitter.com/BlVXopMakg
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 6, 2025
Defenseman Ryan McDonagh is ready for another year on the blue line for the Tampa Bay Lightning after leading the league last season with a plus-43 rating.
Drum roll please 🥁
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 6, 2025
Our season opening roster is here!
📝 https://t.co/nZmMfc8ADI pic.twitter.com/h0Fom3KwGQ
Finally, defenseman Jake McCabe is suiting up for his 13th NHL season and fourth with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs today announced their opening day roster submission.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 6, 2025
Forwards
Sammy Blais
Max Domi
Calle Järnkrok
Dakota Joshua
Matthew Knies
Steven Lorentz
Matias Maccelli
Auston Matthews
Bobby McMann
William Nylander
Jacob Quillan
Nicholas Robertson
Nicolas Roy
John…
Complete list of Badgers in the NHL (Years at Wisconsin)
Edmonton Oilers - Trent Frederic (2016-18), Ty Emberson (2018-21)
Los Angeles Kings - Alex Turcotte (2019-20)
Montreal Canadiens - Cole Caufield (2019-21)
Carolina Hurricanes - K'Andre Miller (2018-20)
Florida Panthers - Luke Kunin (2015-17)
St. Louis Blues - Dylan Holloway (2019-21)
Tampa Bay Lightning - Ryan McDonagh (2007-10)
Toronto Maple Leafs - Jake McCabe (2011-14)
