Monday, June 15, 2026
Stanley Cup Recap: NCAA Alums Front and Center for Carolina
Brind’Amour Earns Second Cup, Blake Leads Champs in Scoring
The Carolina Hurricanes hoisted their second Stanley Cup in franchise history Sunday night, with several NCAA Division I hockey alumni playing prominent roles for the Hurricanes throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Carolina’s roster featured nine players who played college hockey, as well as longtime head coach Rod Brind’Amour (Michigan State, 1988-89), who claimed his second Cup with the franchise thanks to last night’s 3-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Brind’Amour previously won a championship as a Hurricanes player in 2006.
Sunday’s victory was anchored by goaltender Brandon Bussi (Western Michigan, 2019-22), who stopped all 22 shots he faced to earn the shutout. A 27-year-old rookie, Bussi spent the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs backing up Fredrik Andersen until taking over starting duties in Game 4. He finished the series with a .931 save percentage.
Second-year pro Jackson Blake (North Dakota, 2022-24), a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist in 2024, led the Hurricanes in scoring during the Stanley Cup playoffs, amassing seven goals and 13 assists in 19 games. He had a goal and an assist in last night’s clincher.
Shayne Gostisbehere (Union, 2011-14) was Carolina’s top-scoring defenseman during the playoffs with 12 points in 19 games. Gostisbehere and Mark Jankowski (2012-16) joined an exclusive group of players who have won both a Frozen Four championship and the Stanley Cup. Gostisbehere was the NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player when he led Union to its first national title in 2014, while Jankowski was a member of Providence’s 2015 championship team.
Other NCAA alumni on Carolina’s Cup-winning roster included defenseman K’Andre Miller (Wisconsin, 2018-20), defenseman Mike Reilly (Minnesota, 2012-15), forward Eric Robinson (Princeton, 2014-18), defenseman Jaccob Slavin (Colorado College, 2013-15), and defenseman Sean Walker (Bowling Green, 2013-17).
Miller (24:02), Slavin (23:31) and Walker (22:38) ranked 1-2-3 on the Hurricanes in average time on ice during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Additionally, Chris Abbott (Cornell, 2002-06) serves as Carolina’s Vice President of Pro Player Personnel, Peter Harrold (Boston College, 2002-06) is the team’s director of player development, and Jason Muzzatti (Michigan State, 1987-91) – Brind’Amour’s former college teammate – is the Hurricanes’ goaltender development coach.
A total of 336 NCAA alumni played in the NHL during the 2025-26 season, third-most in history.