Hockey

Bulldogs lead Winnipeg Jets into NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs – Duluth News Tribune

by
Scoops
April 17, 2025

At least five alumni of the

Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey program

will take part in the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs that get underway this weekend.

At least three will suit up for the Winnipeg Jets, including defensemen

Dylan Samberg

(the two-time national champion at UMD) and

Neal Pionk,

both of

Hermantown,

and forward Alex Iafallo. It’s the fifth career playoff appearance for both Iafallo and Pionk, with Pionk’s all coming in Winnipeg. Samberg has gone two times previously in Winnipeg.

The Jets announced contract extensions this week for both Iafallo and Pionk, with the 31-year-old Iafallo getting

a reported three-year deal worth $11 million

and Pionk, 29,

signing a six-year extension worth a reported $42 million.

NHL: St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets — Winnipeg Jets left wing Alex Iafallo (9) skates with the puck against the St. Louis Blues in the first period at Canada Life Centre on April 7 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Former

Bulldogs

captain

Dominic Toninato

— who played with Pionk and Iafallo on the team that reached the NCAA title game in 2017 in Chicago — is in the Jets’ system as captain of the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose. He was called up by the Jets for the final week of the regular season. He’s made one postseason appearance with the Jets in five seasons with the organization and played in five NHL games this year.

NHL: Detroit Red Wings at St. Louis Blues — Detroit Red Wings center Michael Rasmussen (27) skates against St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (72) during the third period at Enterprise Center on April 1 in St. Louis, Missouri.

In the opening round, Winnipeg draws the St. Louis Blues and former UMD defenseman

Justin Faulk,

who helped the Bulldogs win their first NCAA title in 2011. At 33, he is making his fifth Stanley Cup Playoff appearance in 14 NHL seasons playing for the Carolina Hurricanes and now the Blues.

The Jets and Blues open the Stanley Cup Playoffs at 5 p.m. Saturday in Winnipeg on TNT.

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings — Edmonton Oilers center Trent Frederic (21) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson (44) tangle behind the goal during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on April 5 in Los Angeles, California.

Former UMD defenseman

Mikey Anderson,

who played with Samberg on the 2018 and 2019 championship teams, is making his fourth playoff appearance in five seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. Anderson and Iafallo were teammates in L.A. from 2019-2023.

The Washington Capitals are also in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but have sent

goaltender Hunter Shepard of Cohasset

back down to the

Hershey Bears in the AHL

following a short call-up to the NHL this month.

Co-host of the Bulldog Insider Podcast and college hockey reporter for the Duluth News Tribune and The Rink Live covering the Minnesota Duluth men’s and women’s hockey programs.