Photo by: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Caufield, Miller meet in NHL's Eastern Conference Final
May 21, 2026 | Men's Hockey, NHL Badgers
Former Badger teammates face off in series to reach Stanley Cup Final
MADISON, Wis. – Fourteen Wisconsin men's hockey players have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup as NHL players. Two more Badgers continue their quest to become the 15th name when the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens open the Eastern Conference on Thursday in Carolina. The best-of-seven series airs on TNT and streams on HBO Max.
K'Andre Miller, who mans the blue line for the Hurricanes, and Cole Caufield, who ranked second in the NHL this season with 51 goals as a forward for the Canadiens, reached this spot in vastly different ways.
Miller's team swept the first two rounds, winning best-of-seven series with 4-0 series wins over Ottawa and Philadelphia. The Hurricanes have enjoyed an 11-day break between the second round and the conference final, the longest in NHL history dating back to 1919.
Caufield's team needed a pair of Game 7 victories over Tampa Bay and Buffalo to reach the conference final.
Miller shares 11th among defensemen in the playoffs with six points on six assists, while Caufield's four goals share 14th and his nine points share 24th.
AHL
In the AHL playoffs for the Calder Cup, forward Cameron Hughes paces former Badgers with six points on a goal and five assists to share 23rd in league scoring. His Texas Stars bowed out of the playoffs after five games in the Division Semifinals.
Defenseman Corson Ceulemans recorded a goal and three points in seven games for the Cleveland Monsters. Cleveland leads the North Division Final series two games to one in the best-of five.
Tyson Jugnauth's Coachella Valley Firebirds were knocked out in the Pacific Division Final, but the former Badger defenseman posted four assists in 12 games.
ECHL
Three with ties to Wisconsin remain in the ECHL playoffs for the Kelly Cup and they are battling for a chance to reach the final.
Matthieu De St. Phalle, with three goals and seven points in 12 games, along with Zach Urdahl, who boasts five goals and eight points, have the Wheeling Nailers through two rounds out of the North. Sam Stange's goal in seven games have helped the Florida Everblades come out of the South.
Other former Badgers who also played in the playoffs include Toledo's Carson Bantle (three goals, five points in 10 games) and goaltender Matt Jurusik (two games); Indy Fuel's Cody Laskosky (two goals, four points in five games); Idaho Steelheads' Ty Pelton-Byce (four goals, six assists in six games) and Liam Malmquist (two games).
K'Andre Miller, who mans the blue line for the Hurricanes, and Cole Caufield, who ranked second in the NHL this season with 51 goals as a forward for the Canadiens, reached this spot in vastly different ways.
Miller's team swept the first two rounds, winning best-of-seven series with 4-0 series wins over Ottawa and Philadelphia. The Hurricanes have enjoyed an 11-day break between the second round and the conference final, the longest in NHL history dating back to 1919.
Caufield's team needed a pair of Game 7 victories over Tampa Bay and Buffalo to reach the conference final.
Miller shares 11th among defensemen in the playoffs with six points on six assists, while Caufield's four goals share 14th and his nine points share 24th.
AHL
In the AHL playoffs for the Calder Cup, forward Cameron Hughes paces former Badgers with six points on a goal and five assists to share 23rd in league scoring. His Texas Stars bowed out of the playoffs after five games in the Division Semifinals.
Defenseman Corson Ceulemans recorded a goal and three points in seven games for the Cleveland Monsters. Cleveland leads the North Division Final series two games to one in the best-of five.
Tyson Jugnauth's Coachella Valley Firebirds were knocked out in the Pacific Division Final, but the former Badger defenseman posted four assists in 12 games.
ECHL
Three with ties to Wisconsin remain in the ECHL playoffs for the Kelly Cup and they are battling for a chance to reach the final.
Matthieu De St. Phalle, with three goals and seven points in 12 games, along with Zach Urdahl, who boasts five goals and eight points, have the Wheeling Nailers through two rounds out of the North. Sam Stange's goal in seven games have helped the Florida Everblades come out of the South.
Other former Badgers who also played in the playoffs include Toledo's Carson Bantle (three goals, five points in 10 games) and goaltender Matt Jurusik (two games); Indy Fuel's Cody Laskosky (two goals, four points in five games); Idaho Steelheads' Ty Pelton-Byce (four goals, six assists in six games) and Liam Malmquist (two games).
Players Mentioned
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