Story Links
College Hockey Inc. NHL Roster List
MANKATO, Minn. – Three former Minnesota State men’s hockey players have made National Hockey League opening day rosters this season, including forward Walker Duehr (Calgary Flames), forward Tyler Pitlick (New York Rangers) and forward Teddy Blueger (Vancouver Canucks).
UPDATE: Since this story was published in the morning, the Vancouver Canucks have recalled former Maverick defenseman Akito Hirose (Wednesday, October 11) to become the fourth former Maverick on an NHL opening night roster. The Canucks host the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night at 7 p.m. LT.
In total, 234 NCAA alumni were listed on opening night rosters, representing 44 NCAA Division I programs and all six NCAA Division I men’s conferences as more NCAA alumni are playing in the NHL than ever before.
Duehr enters the 2023-24 campaign as a 25-year-old right wing with 28 games of NHL experience playing for Calgary. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota native scored seven goals with four assists for 11 points in 27 games last year for the Flames, along with 26 points in 41 games for the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). As a four-year letterwinner for the Mavericks, Duehr finished his collegiate career with 25 goals, 25 assists, and 51 points in 102 games at MSU.
He also scored a goal and an assist in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinal game versus St. Cloud State in 2021. He joined the Flames organization as an undrafted rookie.
Originally a Minnesota Mr. Hockey award recipient, Pitlick’s banner has been hanging in the rafters in downtown Mankato for 13 years since his final season ended at Minnesota State. Since then, the 31-year-old right wing has played NHL games for the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, and St. Louis Blues. Over his 386 games at the highest level, Pitlick has 55 goals, 50 assists, and 105 points, along with three playoff points.
He was drafted 31st overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010 and was an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Blueger is a 29-year old center, drafted 52nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the 2012 entry draft. Blueger became the second former Maverick to win the Stanley Cup when the Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers in June.
Blueger was a four-year standout for the Mavericks from 2012-2016, appearing in 155 games, collecting 108 points on 31 goals and 77 assists. His 108 points is tied for the 14th most in program history. As a senior, Blueger was named the team’s MVP and was a First-Team All-WCHA selection as he led the Mavericks in scoring and assists with 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points.
Fourteen former Mavericks were invited to NHL training camps this season. In addition to Duehr, Pitlick, and Blueger, they included Akito Hirose (Vancouver Canucks), Ryan Sandelin (Colorado Avalanche), Ondrej Pavel (Colorado Avalanche), Wyatt Aamodt (Colorado Avalanche), Brendan Furry (Philadelphia Flyers), Jake Livingstone (Nashville Predators (Nashville Predators), Connor Mackey (New York Rangers), Julian Napravnik (Washington Capitals), Benton Maass (Washington Capitals), CJ Suess (Winnipeg Jets), and Nathan Smith (Arizona Coyotes).
2023-10-11 14:19:16
#Mavericks #NHL #Opening #Night #Rosters #Minnesota #State #University #Mankato #Athletics
