NCAA to NHL: Former DI Hockey Stars Shine in 2025 Stanley Cup Final

The reigning champion Florida Panthers will play the Edmonton Oilers in a 2024 rematch in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. Some former NCAA DI ice hockey players are among the fresh faces on both teams this year. Let’s examine the previous college hockey players who participated in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final and their collegiate careers:

The Florida Panthers

Evan Rodrigues (Boston University: 2011-2015)

Evan Rodrigues was a forward who played for Boston University for four seasons, scoring 121 points in 146 games. In college, he was selected twice to the Hockey East Second-Team All-Star team. His senior year, he finished second in the country with 61 points, trailing only teammate and Hobey Baker winner Jack Eichel. The Terriers, led by Rodrigues, were defeated by Providence in the 2015 Frozen Four final. After signing a contract with the Buffalo Sabres in 2015, Rodrigues made his debut in 2016. After that, he played for the Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins before joining the Panthers and won a Stanley Cup in 2023–24.

Nate Schmidt (Minnesota: 2010-2013)

As a defenceman, Nate Schmidt scored 74 points in 96 games over his three seasons with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. In 2011–12, he was selected to the All-WCHA Second Team, then as a junior in 2012–13, he was selected to the All-WCHA First Team. With 31 points (8G, 23A), he finished third among all NCAA defensemen that season and had a +16 season average. The Washington Capitals signed Schmidt as an undrafted player in 2013–14. He was later chosen by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, and he was a member of the first NHL expansion team to make it to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season. Schmidt played for the Vancouver Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets for the previous four seasons before joining the Panthers for the 2024–25 season.

Player	position	College	Collegiate Years
Evan Rodrigues	F	Boston U.	2011-2015
Nate Schmidt	D	Minnesota	2010-2013
Matthew “Mackie” Samoskevich	F	Michigan	2021-2023
A.J. Greer	F	Boston U.	2014-2016
Nico Sturm	F	Clarkson	2016-2019
Jaycob Megna	D	Omaha	2011-2014

The Edmonton Oilers

Jake Walman (Providence: 2014-2017)

During his three seasons as a defenseman at Providence College, Jake Walman scored 69 points in 107 games. Walman was selected to the Hockey East First All-Star team both as a sophomore and a junior, and he was nominated for Hobey Baker in 2016–17. In the 2015 Frozen Four championship game, Walman assisted Providence in defeating Boston University and Evan Rodrigues to capture its first NCAA championship in program history. After spending time with St. Louis, Detroit, and San Jose, Walman joined the St. Louis Blues after the conclusion of his junior season. Prior to the 2025 NHL trade deadline, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers.

Wisconsin native Trent Frederic (2016-2018)

Trent Frederic was a forward who scored 65 points in 66 games over his two seasons at Wisconsin. He was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, All-Big Ten Second Team, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2017. As the Badgers’ MVP that season, he also took home the Spike Carlson—Chris Chelios Award. He received honorable mention for All-Big Ten as a sophomore. After his sophomore year, Frederic joined the Boston Bruins, where he played for ten seasons before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers prior to the 2025 NHL trade deadline.

Here’s the list of every former NCAA hockey player on the Edmonton Oilers’ roster for the 2025 Stanley Cup Final:

Player	Position	College	Collegiate Years
Zach Hyman*	F	Michigan	2011-2015
Jake Walman	D	Providence	2014-2017
Trent Frederic	F	Wisconsin	2016-2018
Troy Stecher	D	North Dakota	2013-2016
Ty Emberson	D	Wisconsin	2018-2021