Tall, Strong Defensemen Define Modern Stanley Cup Contenders
From the Frozen Four to the NHL draft board, a new archetype of defensemen is reshaping championship teams.
Jun 22, 2026
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Ryan McDonagh across Hockey.
From the Frozen Four to the NHL draft board, a new archetype of defensemen is reshaping championship teams.

Miller's assist in Game 1 helped the Hurricanes defeat the Golden Knights 4-2, making him the 15th former Badgers player to win the Stanley Cup and the first since 2021.
The Carolina Hurricanes clinched the 2026 Stanley Cup, delivering a four‑game‑to‑two victory that added another chapter to the Badgers' impressive lineage of champions.

From Ryan McDonagh's back‑to‑back triumphs to Chris Chelios and Brian Rafalski's three‑cup legacies, the Badgers have produced more championship winners than any other collegiate program.