Tyler Barnes of the AHL's Toledo Walleye.

Feb. 24, 2015

MADISON, Wis. -The Wisconsin men's hockey program is widely recognized as one of the nation's best and that includes its status as a premier developer of talent.

Just this year, 32 former Badgers were invited to NHL training camps with 20 appearing in at least one game this season.

Joe Pavelski recently eclipsed the 30-goal mark for the third time in his career, joining Tony Granato (four) and Dany Heatley (six) in the select group of UW alumni. He is second in the league with 16 power-play tallies and tied for fourth with 31 goals.

But the success of UW hockey alumni stretches beyond the NHL, too.

Numerous players who once wore the Cardinal and White have suited up for American Hockey League (AHL) teams this season.

Nic Kerdiles, a 2012 second round draft pick of Anaheim, has registered nine goals and 26 points this year for Norfolk. During his two years in Madison, Kerdiles had 71 points (26 goals, 55 assists) in 60 games and helped lead the Badgers to WCHA and Big Ten titles.

After earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors last year, Jake McCabe signed a three-year, entry level contract with Buffalo and played in its final seven games of 2013-14. He recorded his first-career point with an assist in the season finale versus the New York Islanders. In 49 games this season with Buffalo's AHL affiliate, Rochester, McCabe put up 25 points (four goals, 21 assists). The Eau Claire, Wisconsin, native suited up for the Sabres for the first time in 2014-15, Sunday against Nashville in which he had 10 minutes of ice time.

Mark Zengerle is enjoying a solid rookie campaign in the AHL, as he has 10 goals and 22 points for Grand Rapids, the minor league affiliate of Detroit. He led the Big Ten with 34 assists and was second in goals (10) last season.

Brendan Woods, who is in his second full season as a professional, made his first NHL appearance on Dec. 23, 2014, debuting for Carolina in a game at New Jersey. In 89 games in the AHL with Charlotte, Woods has recorded 14 goals and 14 assists.

Additionally, several former Wisconsin players participate in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), which is a tier below the AHL.

Tyler Barnes ranks first among rookies with 50 points (18 goals, 32 assists). He was the Rookie of the Month in December (seven goals, 10 assists, +10) and named as a starter for the 2015 All-Star Game. Barnes has also played nine games in the AHL with San Antonio (seven) and Grand Rapids (two).

The Badgers hockey trail even extends overseas.

Robbie Earl is third on his team--EV Zug of the Swiss National League A (NLA)--with 45 points (19 goals, 26 assists). Since leaving Wisconsin in 2006, Earl has played in the NHL, AHL, Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL) in Germany and NLA.

Jordy Murray also competes in the NLA, as he has tallied 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) for Rapperswil-Jona.

In his first year playing abroad, Andrew Joudrey has 11 goals and 29 points for Mannheim of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in Germany. He previously had stints with the AHL's Hershey and Springfield, and played one NHL game with Columbus in 2011-12.

Other Badgers in the DEL include, Michael Davies (Dusseldorfer EG), Andy Wozniewski (EHC Munchen), Kyle Klubertanz (Nuermberg) and Jeff Likens (EHC Wolfsburg).

Brain Fahey plays for EC Salzburg of the EBEL where he has been since the beginning of last season.

The far-reaching network of UW hockey alumni playing professionally all across the country and world is a true reflection of the program's storied tradition.

*Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom

**Oberliga in Germany (third-tier)