While many fans have their favorite Badger players in college, a lot of great Wisconsin players move on to the NHL and are lost in a shuffle of the league's talented players. However, to the delight of many Badger faithful, these same Badger alumni seem to be the top players skating in the NHL. Whether they play forward, goaltender, center or defenseman, it is clear the Wisconsin Badgers have a knack for turning out productive NHL players. One cannot truly appreciate something until it is gone, and these players will force hockey fans to reminisce, but also ponder what could have been. These players have risen to the top of their game, and in doing so have risen to the top of the best hockey league in the world.
Dany Heatley: Left Wing, Ottawa Senators
Heatley has already become one of the most dominant scorers in the NHL during his short six-year professional career. After being taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2000 draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, Heatley quickly showed he would not have a hard time transitioning from college to the pros. He won the Calder Trophy for the 2001-02 season, which is given to the NHL's top rookie.
In his sophomore season, Heatley set franchise records with 89 points and 41 goals. During the 2003 All-Star game, Heatley recorded four goals during the game and added a fifth score in the shootout to take home MVP honors. Before the 2005-'06 season, Heatley was traded to the Ottawa Senators for two players. He now skates alongside teammates Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson, who combine to make up the undisputedly most prolific scoring first line in the league. This season Heatley has scored 15 points (eight goals and seven assists) in only 13 games. He also had a five-game stretch from Oct. 19 to Oct. 28 during which he scored seven goals.
Ryan Suter: Defenseman, Nashville Predators
Suter was selected by the Nashville Predators with the seventh overall pick in the 2003 draft. In his one season with the Badgers, Suter was named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team and 2004 Third-Team All-WCHA. He completed his career with three goals and 16 assists. Suter then played one season for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League, the equivalent of a Triple-A baseball team.
Suter made his NHL debut in 2005-'06, playing in 71 games and registering 15 assists.
He led Nashville rookies in assists with 15, points with 16 and average ice time with 17:21 per game. Suter helped Nashville set a franchise record with 106 points, which gave the Predators second in the Central Division. This season Suter already has seven points (three goals and four assists) after just 13 games. He is well on his way to surpassing his statistics from last season.
Rene Bourque: Left Wing, Chicago Blackhawks
Bourque is the Cinderella story of the group. He was an undrafted free agent after finishing his four-year career with the Badgers, and signed with Chicago in 2004. Bourque played his first season with the AFL's Norfolk Admirals. He registered 33 goals and 60 total points in 73 games with the Admirals, and was awarded the AHL Rookie of the Year, along with being named to the 2005 AHL All-Star Game. Bourque made his professional debut in 2005-'06 with the Chicago Blackhawks, accumulating 16 goals and 34 points during his rookie campaign. In the 2006-'07 season, Bourque has four assists and four goals for a total of eight points in 13 appearances. He has become a force on a young Blackhawks team looking for leadership.
