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Six former University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey players will begin their quest for the NHL’s Stanley Cup this weekend.

 

Alex Iafallo, Neal Pionk, Dylan Samberg and Dominic Toninato of the Winnipeg Jets will face Justin Faulk and the St. Louis Blues in Winnipeg Saturday night, while Mikey Anderson of the Los Angeles Kings will host the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night. 

 

The Jets finished the season with a 56-22-4 record and ended up with 116 points setting a franchise record for points and wins. Pionk finished seventh in scoring over the regular season with 10 goals and 29 assists for 39 points over 69 games. Iafallo ranked 11th with 31 points (15g, 16a) in 82 skates, while defenseman Samberg added 20 points on six goals and 14 assists over 60 games. Samberg led the team with a +34 plus/minus rating, while Iafallo and Pionk went three (Iafallo, +21) and four overall (Pionk +21.) 

 

Longtime NHL veteran blueliner Faulk skated in 78 games for the Blues this season, and amassed 32 points on four goals and 28 assists. Faulk has now played 980 games over his NHL career, and has run up 130 goals and 328 assists for 458 total points.

 

Anderson hit the ice 77 times for the Kings over the regular season, and has scored six goals and added 18 helpers for 24 points. He is also +17 so far this year.

 

UMD has had seven former players hoist the Stanley Cup. Most recently, Matt Niskanen with the Washington Capitals (2018). He joined Brett Hull (1999, 2002), Tom Kurvers (1986), Dave Langevin (1980, 1981, 1982, 1984), Derek Plante (1999), Shjon Podein (2001), and Glenn Resch (1980). 

 

Three other alumni – Norm Maciver (Chicago Blackhawks Assistant General Manager; 2010, 2013, 2015), Tony Gasparini (LA Kings Amateur Scout; 2014), and Wayne Smith (Boston Bruins Director of Scouting; 2011) – were members of Stanley Cup Champion organizations. 

 

Other UMD-NHL Notes: 

– Both Pionk and Iafallo signed contract extensions this week with the Jets – Pionk signed for six years, while Iafallo was extended for three more seasons.

 

– This week, Pionk was named the team’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the Winnipeg chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA). The Masterton Trophy is awarded annually by the National Hockey League to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Pionk, 29, was selected by the Winnipeg chapter of the PHWA for his ability to endure despite the personal tragedy of losing his best friend and former Bulldog teammate Adam Johnson last season. Pionk persevered, despite the emotional toll of Adam’s death, and delivered one of the best seasons of his NHL career in 2024-25.

 

– Noah Cates, who reached his 100 career point with the Philadelphia Flyers on April 13th, was named the Gene Hart Memorial Award recipient this week. The award is given to the player who demonstrated the most “heart” during the season as voted on by members of the fan club at their monthly meetings. The award honors the memory of longtime Flyers broadcaster Gene Hart.