Eight former Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs will begin the 2018-19 season on NHL rosters, with most of the league beginning play on Thursday night.
Goaltender Alex Stalock (2006-09) is joined on the Minnesota Wild roster this season by forward J.T. Brown (2010-12). The Wild open the season on the road at 8 p.m. against the Colorado Avalanche, who feature Duluth native and former Bulldogs captain Dominic Toninato (2013-17).
Two of Toninato's former UMD teammates are on NHL rosters with Alex Iafallo (2013-17) back for his second season with the Los Angeles Kings while Hermantown native Neal Pionk (2015-17) starts this year where he finished the second half of last, with the New York Rangers.
Mountain Iron's Matt Niskanen (2005-07) begins his fifth season with the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals while Justin Faulk (2010-11) begins his sixth season with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Jason Garrison (2005-08) has a new home with the Edmonton Oilers for his 10th NHL season. The 33-year-old defenseman played just eight games last year in the NHL with the Vegas Golden Knights.
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Other Northland natives set to start 2018-19 on NHL rosters includes Duluth native Derek Forbort with the Los Angeles Kings, Grand Rapids' Alex Goligoski with the Arizona Coyotes and Grand Rapids' Jake Bischoff as a rookie with the Golden Knights.
