Flynn Among Five Former Bears On NHL Roster

When they drop the puck on the 2014-15 NHL season tonight there will be five former UMaine Black Bears on rosters...from Buffalo to Tampa Bay to Detroit to Edmonton.

The Red Wings have goalie Jimmy Howard and forward Gustav Nyquist. The Wings will begin their season Thursday night against the Boston Bruins.

Former Black Bear captain Brian Flynn skates with the Buffalo Sabres.

Goalie Ben Bishop was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season with Tampa Bay.

Winger Teddy Purcell is now with the Edmonton Oilers after several years in Tampa.

Only Boston College and Boston University have more players on an opening roster. Check out some of these names and think about them skating as college players on a cold, winter night at Alfond Arena...

Boston College (18) – Cam Atkinson (CBJ), Brian Boyle (TBL), Patrick Brown (CAR), Scott Clemmensen (NJD), Patrick Eaves (DAL), Benn Ferriero (STL), Johnny Gaudreau (CAL), Nathan Gerbe (CAR), Brian Gibbons (CBJ), Brian Gionta(BUF)^, Stephen Gionta (NJD), Jimmy Hayes (FLA), Kevin Hayes (NYR), Chris Kreider (NYR), Brooks Orpik (WSH), CorySchneider (NJD), Rob Scuderi (PIT), Ben Smith (CHI)

Boston University (8) – Nick Bonino (ANA), Alex Chiasson (OTT), Charlie Coyle (MIN), Eric Gryba(OTT), Matt Nieto(SJS), Kevin Shattenkirk (STL), Brian Strait (NYI), Colin Wilson (NSH).

Maine (5) – Ben Bishop (TBL), Brian Flynn (BUF), Jimmy Howard (DET), Gustav Nyquist (DET), Teddy Purcell (EDM)

Massachusetts (3) – Justin Braun (SJS), Matt Irwin (SJS), Jonathan Quick (LAK)

UMass Lowell (4) – Christian Folin (MIN), Ron Hainsey (CAR), Carter Hutton (NSH), Bobby Robbins (BOS)

New Hampshire (3) – James van Riemsdyk (TOR), Trevor van Riemsdyk (TOR), Daniel Winnik (TOR)

Northeastern (2) – Jamie Oleksiak (DAL), Joe Vitale (ARZ)

Notre Dame (4) – Ian Cole (STL)*, Erik Condra (OTT)*, Kyle Palmieri (ANA)*, Riley Sheahan (DET)*

Providence (2) – Mark Fayne (EDM), Colin McDonald (NYI)

Vermont (5) – Kevan Miller (BOS), Torrey Mitchell (BUF), Patrick Sharp (CHI)*, Viktor Stålberg (NSH), Martin St. Louis(NYR)*