Be True to Your School: Ottawa's Best College Players

With the college hockey season wrapping up soon (the Frozen Four tournament goes April 10 and 12 in Philadelphia), I thought I'd look at Ottawa's best all-time college-trained players. While Ottawa has a lot of players who have spent time playing college hockey, many failed to make an impact with the Senators. Not everyone loves the NCAA, but this list comprises players who made a difference in school and for the Sens.

Forwards

Shawn McEachern (Boston University, 1988-1991)

Before he was winning fans over in the nation's capital, McEachern spent three seasons at Boston University. He played 120 games for the school, recording 79 goals, 107 assists, and 186 points. He was named to the All-Hockey East Second Team in 1990 and the All-Hockey East First Team in 1991. In addition, he was named the Hockey East Tournament MVP in 1991. McEachern played 454 games with the Senators over the course of six seasons, with 142 goals, 162 assists, and 304 points.

Dany Heatley (Wisconsin Badgers, 1999-2001)

Before he was alienating fans in the nation's capital, Heatley spent two seasons at Wisconsin. He played 77 games in college, scoring 52 goals, 61 assists, and 113 points. He was named to the WCHA First All-Star Team, NCAA West Second All-American Team, and named WCHA Rookie of the Year in 2000. In his sophomore season he was named to the WCHA Second All-Star Team and the NCAA West First All-American Team. In 317 games with the Senators, Heatley scored 180 goals, 182 assists, and 362 points.

Kyle Turris (Wisconsin Badgers, 2007-2008)

Turris played just one season with the Badgers but was named the WCHA Preseason Freshman of the Year in 2007 and was named to the All-WCHA Third Team All-Star and the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2008. Since joining the Ottawa Senators, Turris has scored 46 goals, 63 assists, 109 points in 169 games.

Defense

Norm MacIver (University of Minnesota-Duluth, 1982-1986)

MacIver spent four seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, earning a communications degree. In 165 games at the college level he had 39 goals, 152 assists, and 191 points. He was named to the All-WCHA First Team in 1985 and 1986. MacIver was also a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award (given to the NCAA's top player) in 1986. In three seasons with the Senators, he scored 24 goals, 73 assists, and 97 points.

Joe Corvo (Western Michigan University, 1995-1998)

Corvo spent three seasons at Western Michigan. He played 105 games for his school, scoring 22 goals, 58 assists, and 80 points. He was named to the All-CCHA Rookie Team in 1996 and the All-CCHA Second Team in 1997. In 152 games with the Senators, Corvo scored 17 goals, 57 assists, and 74 points.

Goalie

Brian Elliott (Wisconsin Badgers, 2003-2007)

Elliot spent four seasons at Wisconsin, serving as starter for his junior and senior years. He played 86 games, winning 51 times, with a 1.78 GAA, and 16 shutouts. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and led the Badgers to the NCAA National Championship in 2006. In 130 career games with the Senators, Elliott notched 59 wins, recorded 9 shutouts, and had a 2.81 GAA and .902 save percentage.

Ottawa's Best College-trained Player Is...