The 10 greatest Chicago Blackhawks NCAA alumni

The 2017 Frozen Four will take place at the United Center, home of the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago currently has eight NCAA alumni on its roster, and has had many players make an impact after playing college hockey over the course of its history.

NCAA alums have been significant contributors to the Blackhawks. It appears that this trend will continue well into the future. To go along with some star players on the current roster who appear on this list, Chicago also has many young NHL players who came via college the route. This includes Vinnie Hinostroza, Nick Schmaltz, Tanner Kero, Trevor van Riemsdyk and John Hayden.

On top of this, Chicago had 16 draft picks in playing NCAA hockey this year, including Denver’s Blake Hillman and Notre Dame’s Dennis Gilbert.

This list attempts to rank the top 10 Chicago Blackhawks NCAA alumni. Some of these players are currently on the team, although Hinostroza, the only current Blackhawk with a rooting interest in this year’s Frozen Four field (Notre Dame), is not on the list. Many captained the Hawks, while others won Stanley Cups, Norris, Calder, Selke and/or Vezina Trophies.

10. Gary Suter

Suter, who played two seasons at Wisconsin, is one of many from a broad bloodline of college and NHL talent. His family was ranked in our “greatest American hockey families” list earlier this year.

Chicago was the second of three teams Suter played for in the NHL. He played all or partsof five seasons with the Hawks, and was particularly impressive with 67 points in the 1995-96 season. That year, his 20 goals led all NHL defensemen.

9. Ed Belfour

Belfour spent one season at North Dakota. After stint in the IHL and with the Canadian national team, he began his NHL career with the Blackhawks, where he spent nine seasons. He earned 201 wins during his tenure, which sits fourth on the all-time list among Chicago’s goalies.

8. Troy Murray

Murray put up two impressive seasons at North Dakota, then signed with the Blackhawks after winning the 1982 national championship. He appeared in seven playoff games with the Hawks that same year.

Overall, he scored 488 points in 687 games with Chicago, which was highlighted by 99 points in 80 games during the 1985-86 season. That year, he captained the Hawks and also won the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward. The Blackhawks made the playoffs in 11 of the 12 seasons he played with the team.

7. Chris Chelios

Chelios, who has a listed birthplace of Chicago, played two seasons with Wisconsin. He spent a number of years during the middle of his career playing for his hometown team, which were very successful.

He won two Norris trophies with the Blackhawks, and tallied 487 points in 664 games. This ranks fourth among defenders in team history. Chelios wore a letter every season in Chicago, including the “C” in his final four.

6. Keith Magnuson

Magnuson played college hockey with the Denver Pioneers, meaning he is the only player on this list with a connection to this year’s Frozen Four. After his four seasons in Colorado, he played his entire NHL career with the Blackhawks and even spent parts of three seasons as a coach with the team.

He was not much of an offensive threat from the blue line, but was a very solid defensive player. Magnuson spent a lot of time in the penalty box, twice leading the NHL in that category. However, he was obviously well-respected by his team, as he was captain for his last four seasons. His No. 3 is retired by the Blackhawks, making him one of two players on this list with such an honor.

5. Patrick Sharp

Sharp spent two seasons at the University of Vermont before beginning his professional career with the Philadelphia Flyers. He emerged as a solid player and leader with the Blackhawks, being named an alternate captain before his second full season.

Sharp is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, and was a key performer in each of the team’s title runs. He led the NHL with 10 goals in the 2013 playoffs. Overall, his 511 points rank 16th in team history.

4. Tony Amonte

Amonte played two seasons with the Boston University Terriers. After beginning his professional career with the New York Rangers, he was traded to Chicago, where he was a consistent scorer and leadership figure. He scored a least 60 points in each of his seven full seasons as a Blackhawk.

Overall, he scored 541 points in 627 games, which puts him 11th on the team’s all-time scoring list. The Hawks were not a very strong team in his later years, but he continued to produce for the squad, and even captained them to a playoff spot in his final season after a four-year absence.

3. Tony Esposito

After four years at Michigan Tech, Esposito only played two professional seasons outside of Chicago. He then spent 15 seasons with the Blackhawks, playing 873 games and earning 418 wins, both team records.

Esposito was a star in net for the Blackhawks. He won three Vezina Trophies during his tenure, the Calder Trophy his rookie year, and was named to multiple season first and second all-star teams. His No. 35 jersey hangs in the rafters of the United Center.

2. Jonathan Toews

Toews is yet another North Dakota-Chicago connection. He spent two years at UND, and has played for the Hawks ever since. “Captain Serious” was an alternate captain in his rookie season, and has worn the “C” for the past nine.

Toews has captained the team to three Stanley Cups, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy along with his first championship. He has the most career points with Chicago among anyone on this list, and will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest leaders in Blackhawks history.

1. Duncan Keith

Keith played one full season with Michigan State, then appeared in 15 games before leaving the program during his sophomore year. He made the Blackhawks out of training camp in 2005 and has never looked back.

Keith emerged as a leader quickly, being named an alternate captain after just two seasons. He has gone on to earn two Norris Trophies so far, along with three Stanley Cups, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2015. His 507 points rank third among defenders, and he has appeared in the most games in a Chicago jersey among anyone on this list.