Five Former Dartmouth Players on NHL Opening Night Rosters

HANOVER, N.H. – The 2015-16 National Hockey League (NHL) season got underway Wednesday night with a trio of games across North America.

Following the conclusion of training camps and the preseason, all 30 teams announced the players who would be on their opening night rosters on Wednesday morning, a list that featured five former Dartmouth men's hockey players.

Lee Stempniak '05 will be making his debut with the New Jersey Devils after signing on with the team in September on a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO). Stempniak earned a roster spot with strong play and a veteran presence for the Devils. Last season, the former All-America and Big Green captain played for both the New York Rangers as well as the Winnipeg Jets following a mid-season trade.

Ben Lovejoy '06 is back for his first full season in his second stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lovejoy was traded back to the Pens —a team he began his NHL career with — from the Anaheim Ducks at last year's trade deadline.

Former Dartmouth captain Tanner Glass '07 remains with the New York Rangers this season. Glass has been sidelined with an foot injury after blocking a shot in the preseason and was not part of the Blueshirts' 3-2 opening-night win in Chicago, spoiling the defending Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks' banner ceremony celebration.

Joining Glass in the Rangers organization this season is Matt Lindblad '14 who signed on with the team during the free agency period. Lindblad's inclusion on the opening night roster is due to his current status on injured reserve (IR) and is expected to join the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Hartford when healthy.

David Jones '08 — a former Hobey Baker candidate during his time in Hanover — is back for his third season in Calgary with the Flames, one of the most exciting young teams in the NHL. The former ninth-round selection in 2003 is approaching 400-career games played and 100-career goals in his ninth season in the league. The Flames played Vancouver Wednesday night in one of three games from around the league to skate, but fell, 5-1, at home to the Canucks.

Former Dartmouth players are also in the AHL as well as the ECHL this season, working their way up to the NHL ranks.
Brandon McNally '15 – St. John's IceCaps (AHL)
Eric Neiley '15 – Providence Bruins (AHL)
Rick Pinkston '15 – San Jose Barracuda (AHL)
Eric Robinson '14 – Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL)
Tyler Sikura '15 – Toledo Walleye (ECHL)
Andy Simpson '15 – Indy Fuel (ECHL)
Joe Stejskal '11 – Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL)

Dartmouth alumni on NHL opening night rosters: 🐧: Ben Lovejoy '06 🔥: David Jones '08 🗽: Tanner Glass '07/Matt Lindblad 😈: Lee Stempniak '05
— Dartmouth Hockey (@Dartmouth_MIH) October 8, 2015

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