From players born in the province to players who used to play on junior teams in Saskatchewan, there are plenty of local connections in this year’s NHL playoffs.
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The NHL playoffs are here and there are several players with Saskatchewan connections in the hunt for this year’s Stanley Cup.
After the trophy made appearances in Saskatchewan last summer following the Vegas Golden Knights’ win, there’s a chance the province could see the Stanley Cup once again this summer after a winner is crowned.
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In the first round, the Knights will take on the Dallas Stars, who come in as the. No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, while the Winnipeg Jets take on the Colorado Avalanche. Also in the West, the Vancouver Canucks face the Nashville Predators while the Edmonton Oilers get the Los Angeles Kings for a second straight year.
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In the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers take on the Tampa Bay Lightning while the Toronto Maple Leafs get the Boston Bruins. Elsewhere, the No. 1 seed New York Rangers battle the Washington Capitals while the Carolina Hurricanes face the New York Islanders.
From players born in the province to players who used to play on junior teams in the area, here’s a list of the active players with ties to Saskatchewan ahead of the opening games on Saturday:
Chandler Stephenson, Brett Howden, Brayden McNabb
Vegas Golden Knights
Along with several members on the staff, the defending Stanley Cup champions feature Saskatchewan connections like Saskatoon product and former Regina Pat Chandler Stephenson, former Moose Jaw Warrior Brett Howden and Davidson product Brayden McNabb.
Sam Steel
Dallas Stars
Former Regina Pats captain Sam Steel is in his first year with the Stars after spending the first five years of his NHL career with Anaheim and Minnesota. The 26-year-old had 24 points in 77 games this year for the Stars.
Josh Morrissey, Adam Lowry
Winnipeg Jets
Former Prince Albert Raider Josh Morrisey and former Swift Current Bronco Adam Lowry will be two important pieces for the Winnipeg Jets if they want to make a long playoff run. Morrissey, a defenceman, was second on the team in scoring this year while Lowry adds a level of grit to the Jets’ roster needed in the playoffs.
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Josh Manson
Colorado Avalanche
The former Prince Albert Minto is in his third season with the Avalanche after starting his NHL career in Anaheim. In his career, the 32-year-old has played 47 playoff games and will be looking to add more this year with a veteran Avalanche team.
Leon Draisaitl, Stuart Skinner
Edmonton Oilers
There will be lots of pressure on former Swift Current Broncos goalie Stuart Skinner this year as he looks to lead Edmonton on a long playoff run. In front of him, former Prince Albert Raider Leon Draisaitl will be called upon to produce offence after putting up 106 points in the regular season.
Luke Schenn
Nashville Predators
Two-time Stanley Cup champion Luke Schenn, who is from Saskatoon, will look to bring his veteran presence to Nashville’s blueline in the playoffs this year as they face the Vancouver Canucks in the first round.
Brayden Point, Tanner Jeannot, Brandon Hagel, Haydn Fleury, Matt Dumba
Tampa Bay Lighting
There’s plenty of southern Saskatchewan flavour on Tampa Bay’s roster as it features Carlyle’s Haydn Fleury and Oxbow’s Tanner Jeannot.
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Former Moose Jaw Warrior sniper Brayden Point, who finished with 90 points this year, has 82 points in 82 career playoff games. The Lightning’s roster also features Matt Dumba, born in Regina, and Brandon Hagel, born in Saskatoon.
Noah Gregor, Morgan Rielly, Joel Edmundson
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs feature a trio of former Moose Jaw Warriors in Noah Gregor, Morgan Rielly and Joel Edmundson.
Last year, Rielly had 12 points in 11 playoff games with the Leafs while Edmundson has played in 75 playoff games with his last coming in 2021 with the Montreal Canadiens. It’s the first playoff appearance for Gregor.
Braden Schneider
New York Rangers
The 22-year-old defenceman from Prince Albert appeared in 20 playoff games in his first two seasons with the Rangers, who drafted him in the first round in 2020.
Darcy Kuemper, Beck Malenstyn, Dylan McIlrath, Ethan Bear
Washington Capitals
Saskatoon’s Darcy Kuemper will be Washington’s backup goalie to begin the playoffs, while the Capitals’ roster also features former Swift Current Bronco Beck Malenstyn and former Moose Jaw Warrior Dylan McIlrath. Ochapowace product Ethan Bear is also a member of the Capitals, but he is currently in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.
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Josh Mahura
Florida Panthers
Last year after playing all 82 regular season games, former Regina Pats defenceman Josh Mahura played all 21 games for the Panthers in their run to the Stanley Cup finals. This year, the 25-year-old played just 30 regular season games while putting up nine assists.
Jake DeBrusk
Boston Bruins
The 27-year-old former Swift Current Bronco is in his seventh season with the Bruins after being drafted by the club in 2015. In his career, the Edmonton product has put up 36 points in 73 playoff games.
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