NAHL Alumni Update: Presence on NHL rosters remains significant

October 5, 2017

Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop is one of 51 NAHL alumni who begin the 2017-18 season on NHL rosters.

As the National Hockey League (NHL) opens its 2017-18 season, the NAHL alumni presence on opening night rosters is once again significant. The NAHL is pleased to announce that a total of 52 NAHL alumni are listed on opening night rosters of NHL clubs. 22 of the 31 NHL clubs begin the season with at least one NAHL alumni on the roster.

The list also includes former NAHL Coach of the Year Jon Cooper, who enters his fifth full season as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Cooper began his NAHL coaching career with the Texarkana Bandits in the 2003-04 season. He coached in the NAHL a total of five seasons. In 2004-05 and again in 2007-08, he was honored as the NAHL Coach of the Year.

The 51 players on opening night rosters continue the upward trend of the NAHL and NHL. Earlier this week, 10 current and former NAHL players were listed on the NHL Central Scouting players to watch list for the 2018 NHL Draft.

In the past five years, not only have 1,200 NAHL players made NCAA commitments, but 17 NAHL players have been taken in the NHL Draft.

Anaheim Ducks: Patrick Eaves, Cam Fowler, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Miller

Arizona Coyotes: Adam Clendening

Buffalo Sabres: Matt Moulson, Matt Tennyson

Carolina Hurricanes: Scott Darling, Justin Faulk, Justin Williams

Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane, Tanner Kero, Brandon Saad

Colorado Avalanche: Erik Johnson, Matt Nieto, Colin Wilson

Columbus Blue Jackets: Nick Foligno, Jack Johnson

Dallas Stars: Ben Bishop, Stephen Johns

Detroit Red Wings: David Booth, Jimmy Howard

Edmonton Oilers: Patrick Maroon

Los Angeles Kings: Nic Dowd, Christian Folin, Derek Forbort, Nick Shore