HOCKEY: CCHA Well-Represented In National Hockey League At Season's Start

From the CCHA

FARMINGTON HILLS - All 12 CCHA schools were represented with 55 former players on the rosters of the NHL’s 30 teams for the start of regular-season play. Michigan and Michigan State featured the most with 20 and 11 players, respectively.

Three former CCHA goaltenders started their team’s opening game including a Saturday contest that saw Dan Ellis (Nebraska-Omaha) in net for Nashville and Marty Turco (Michigan) between the pipes for Dallas. Behind Ellis’ 40 saves and Turco’s 26 saves, the two squads battled to a 2-2 tie through the overtime period. Ellis and the Predators earned the extra point, winning the shootout 2-1 in five rounds.

Ryan Miller (Michigan State) totaled 15 saves for Buffalo in his team’s 2-1 overtime loss to Montreal on Saturday.

On the offensive end, a pair of Wolverines led a group of 15 conference alumni who registered at least one point during the weekend. David Moss scored two goals, including one on a power play, to help Calgary defeat Edmonton 4-3 on Saturday. Mike Cammalleri, who led all CCHA alumni with 82 points last season, also played a big role in a 4-3 victory Thursday night for Montreal. The seventh-year forward finished with two assists, including one on Josh Gorges’ game-winning goal in overtime to beat Toronto.

Other players who found the back of the net included Vancouver’s Kevin Bieska (Bowling Green), Florida’s David Booth (Michigan State), New Jersey’s Brian Rolston (Lake Superior), Boston’s Matt Hunwick (Michigan), Pittsburgh’s Mark Eaton (Notre Dame), Columbus’ R.J. Umberger (Ohio State) and Washington’s Mike Knuble (Michigan). Also scoring an assist were Toronto’s Jason Blake (Ferris State), San Jose’s Dan Boyle (Miami), Calgary’s Eric Nystrom (Michigan), Edmonton’s Mike Comrie (Michigan), Chicago’s Duncan Keith (Michigan State) and Washington’s Brendan Morrison (Michigan).

Eaton, along with Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz (Ferris State) and head coach Dan Bylsma (Bowling Green) celebrated last season’s Stanley Cup victory on Friday by raising the Penguins’ championship banner and later defeating the New York Rangers 3-2.

Detroit forward Justin Abdelkader (Michigan State) and defenseman Brett Lebda (Notre Dame) traveled to Stockholm, Sweden, with the Red Wings for a pair of games against St. Louis. Both players were held scoreless as Detroit fell to the Blues 4-3 on Friday and 5-3 on Saturday.

Last season 76 CCHA alumni, including five goaltenders, saw action in the NHL. Of those players, 54 skated in at least 30 games.

MY COMMENTS: This is great news for the CCHA to have all of its teams represented in the National Hockey League on opening day roster. The Bulldogs of Ferris State University are especially proud to have Chris Kunitz, a member of the defending Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh Penguins on a roster to kick off the season. Obviously, Kunitz was a big part of the Penguins success last season and should play a prominent role in the future of the program. A lot of hard work by a lot of people affiliated with the CCHA and its member institutions should be applauded for attracting some great student-athletes to the league.