Nine Badgers make NHL opening night rosters
September 30, 2026 | Men's Hockey, NHL Badgers
Stanley Cup champion Miller, Caufield highlight Badgers in the NHL
MADISON, Wis. — Nine Badgers appeared in NHL opening night rosters Tuesday night.
Defenseman K'Andre Miller, who hoisted a Stanley Cup this past June with the Carolina Hurricanes, leads the way. Miller's Stanley Cup win makes him the 15th Badger to hold the cup.
Cole Caufield, who won the NHL's 2026 Lady Byng Trophy which goes to a player who boasts sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct along with excellence on the ice, became the first Badger to win the major NHL honor. Caufield also secured the second most NHL goals in the 2025-26 season with 51 goals and became the second Badger to eclipse 50 goals in a season.
Continuing in Canada, Jake McCabe enters his fourth full season with the Maple Leafs, and his 14th season in the NHL. Trent Frederic enters his second full season with the Edmonton Oilers, after being traded from the Boston Bruins during the 2024-25 season. Frederic is joined by 2020-21 Badger team captain Ty Emberson, who kicked off his fifth year in the NHL and third on the Oilers.
Fresh off a five-year, $38.75 million contract extension with the St. Louis Blues, Dylan Holloway was named one of four alternate captains heading into the campaign. 2021 Stanley Cup winner for the Tampa Bay Lightning Ryan McDonagh is skating in his 17th season. This will be the eighth year he reps the "A" for the Lightning. Cameron Hughes was named to the Dallas Stars roster despite injury, for his third year skating in the NHL. Rounding out the group, Alex Turcotte opened his sixth season with the Los Angeles Kings.
Best of luck to our NHL Opening Night #BadgersintheBigs!!! pic.twitter.com/7kVVVYKK9x
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) September 29, 2026
