Former NCAA Skaters in 2026 Stanley Cup Final

The 2026 Stanley Cup Final will feature a number of former NCAA players between the Vegas Golden Knights, who are seeking their second NHL title in four years, and the Carolina Hurricanes, who are pursuing their first crown since their last final appearance in 2006. Game One is tonight in North Carolina.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Nic Dowd, F (St. Cloud State)

Jack Eichel, F (Boston University) #

Noah Hanifin, D (Boston College)

Ben Hutton, D (Maine)

Tanner Laczynski, F (Ohio State)

Jaycob Megna, D (Omaha)

Reilly Smith, F (Miami) #

CAROLINA HURRICANES

Jackson Blake, F (North Dakota)

Brandon Bussi, G (Western Michigan)

Shayne Gostisbehere, D (Union) *

Mark Jankowski, F (Providence) *

K'Andre Miller, D (Wisconsin)

Mike Reilly, D (Minnesota)

Eric Robinson, F (Princeton)

Jaccob Slavin, D (Colorado College)

Sean Walker, D (Bowling Green)

Only players who played for either team during the 2025-26 NHL season are included above

# Won Stanley Cup as a player

* Won NCAA title as a player 

Finland Claims 2026 World Championship

Finland won its fifth gold medal ever at the IIHF World Championship, defeating host Switzerland on Sunday by a 1-0 count in overtime. Norway took bronze with a 3-2 OT win over Canada.

Canada's Macklin Celebrini (Boston University) finished second among all scorers with 14 points on six goals and eight assists in 10 games. Devin Cooley (Denver) of the United States was fourth among all goaltenders with a 1.76 goals-against average over seven outings.