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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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Wisconsin Badgers
DETROIT – APRIL 10: Barry Almeida #9 of the Boston College Eagles tries to get around Jake Gardiner #19 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the championship game of the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four on April 10, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Unfortunately, there are not enough spots in the lineup for all the players who’ve had success before and after playing for the Badgers, but there is room in the press box if injuries were to hit. And these four NHL players have done more than enough to be listed on the roster, and we had to give an honorable mention to the straw-haired agitator who brought the emotion to the Miracle On Ice team.

Forward Patrick Flatley

At forward, Patrick Flatley was a respected role player for the Islanders and Rangers over a 13-year career in the NHL. Known for his two-way play and ability to gain control of the puck in the corners, Flatley was known as the “Chairman of the Boards” during his career.
NHL Stats: 170 Goals, 340 Assists, 510 Points in 780 NHL Games
Badger Stats: 42 Goals, 64 Assists, 106 Points in 76 Games (1981-83)
1983 National Championship, 1st Team All-American (1983)

Defenseman Jake Gardiner

On the blueline, Jake Gardiner has carved out a nice career as an offensive defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs after three seasons as a Badger. A steady and durable presence on the back-end, Gardiner had a career-high 52 points in 2017-19 for the Maple Leafs, while missing only 8 games from 2013-18.
NHL Stats: 45 Goals, 200 Assists, 245 Points in 551 Games (And Counting)
Badger Stats: 19 Goals, 56 Assists, 75 Points in 121 Games (2008-2011)
2nd Team All-American (2011)

Defenseman Sean Hill

Joining Gardiner on the blue line depth is one of the highest scoring defenseman in Badger history in Sean Hill. After an All-American career in Madison, Hill would play 15 NHL seasons as a defensive defenseman for eight teams, winning a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1993.
NHL Stats: 62 Goals, 236 Assists, 298 Points in 876 Games
Badger Stats: 35 Goals, 94 Assists, 129 Points in 124 Games (1988-1991)
Stanley Cup (1993), 1992 Olympics (United States), 2nd Team All-American (1991)
1990 National Championship

Defenseman Bruce Driver

Also on the blue line is Bruce Driver. A two-time National Champion for the Badgers, captaining the 1983 team, Driver had a long career in the NHL, blossoming late as a power play leader and captain of the New Jersey Devils from 1991-92 and winning the Stanley Cup in 1995. With New Jersey, Driver had five 40 point seasons.
NHL Stats: 96 Goals, 390 Assists, 486 Points in 922 Games
Badger Stats: 28 Goals, 86 Assists, 114 Points in 127 Games (1980-83)
Stanley Cup (1995), 2-Time National Champion (1981, 1983), 1984 Olympics (Canada)
1st Team All-American (1982)

Honorable Mention: Defenseman Bob Suter

As an honorable mention, we have to add the late Bob Suter to the squad. The feisty defenseman never played in the NHL, but he is a vital part of Wisconsin Badger history as a part of the 1977 Championship team and the “Miracle On Ice” Olympic Team in 1980. Suter still has Badger records for penalty minutes, with 367 in four years.
Badger Stats: 27 Goals, 74 Assists, 103 Points in 157 Games (1975-79)
1980 Olympics (United States, Miracle on Ice), United States Hockey Hall of Fame (2003)
1977 National Championship

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