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Wisconsin Badgers Hockey: The All-Time team

By Mike Wendlandt

ST PAUL, MN - MARCH 21: The helmets for the Wisconsin Badgers sit on the bench before the semifinal game of the Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Championship between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Penn State Nittany Lions on March 21, 2014 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MN - MARCH 21: The helmets for the Wisconsin Badgers sit on the bench before the semifinal game of the Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Championship between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Penn State Nittany Lions on March 21, 2014 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 21: Ryan Suter #20 of the United States battles for the puck with Dany Heatley #15 of Canada during the ice hockey men’s preliminary game between Canada and USA on day 10 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey Place on February 21, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

LD Ryan Suter (A)

Another defensive pairing, another Suter. This time, it’s Ryan, the nephew of Gary and the son of Bob. After getting great two-way play from the first pairing, we have a true defensive defenseman on the roster with the younger Suter. After one season at Wisconsin, Suter was picked seventh overall by Nashville in the 2003 Draft, spending one year in the minors before establishing himself as a regular in the NHL.

Spending seven years with the Predators, Suter became a vital part of a strong blue line along with Shea Weber, Roman Josi, and many others. After signing a massive contract with Minnesota, Suter has found his offensive touch, scoring at least 38 points in every full season. A three-time All-Star, Suter has been a rock and a leader for every team he’s played for and is perfect for an Alternate Captaincy like he had in the 2010 Olympics.

NHL Stats: 82 Goals, 458 Assists, 540 Points in 1,073 Games (And Counting)
Badger Stats: 3 Goals, 16 Assists, 19 Points in 39 Games (2003-2004)
2010 Silver Medalist, 3-Time All-Star

RD Brian Rafalski

On the right side, the offense picks up with three-time Stanley Cup Champion Brian Rafalski. A steady presence on the blue line for both the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings, Rafalski spent his career alongside Hall of Famers Scott Stevens (Devils) and Nicklas Lidstrom (Red Wings), quietly piling up points and scoring timely goals.

Not emerging in the NHL until he was 26 after a decorated Badger career, Rafalski would spend eleven years in the league, making the playoffs every season and making the Stanley Cup Finals five times. He even played in the 2010 Olympics for Team USA as a 36-year old, leading all defensemen in scoring. Whether it was New Jersey, Detroit, the Olympics, or on this All-Time team, Rafalski is the guy on the ice when you need a goal in the final five minutes.

NHL Stats: 79 Goals, 436 Assists, 515 Points in 833 Games
Badger Stats: 20 Goals, 80 Assists, 100 Points in 150 Games (1991-1995)
3 Stanley Cups (2000, 2003, 2008), 3-Time All-Star, 1st Team All-American (1995)
Best Defenseman (2010 Olympics), US Hockey Hall of Fame (2014)

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