Three Wildcats grabbed headlines in the NHL's opening weeks, with a goaltender stepping into the spotlight, a defenseman going down to injury, and another blue-liner delivering a statement performance in New Jersey.
DeSmith Stands Tall in Dallas
Casey DeSmith is making a strong early case as a reliable option between the pipes for the Dallas Stars. The UNH product turned in a sharp outing Thursday, October 15, stopping 25 of 27 shots against the Colorado Avalanche — a .926 save percentage — as Dallas took a 3-2 win. The Hockey News singled out DeSmith specifically, spotlighting his performance as part of what they called the Stars' "standout tandem." With Dallas leaning on him in a back-to-back series against Colorado, DeSmith answered the bell when it counted.
Pesce Powers the Devils — Then Hits a Speed Bump
Brett Pesce's week in New Jersey was a tale of two nights. On Thursday, October 15, the Devils hammered the New York Rangers 7-1, and Pesce was a force: two assists and a dazzling +3 rating in a dominant team effort. It was the kind of two-way performance that reminded anyone watching why New Jersey pursued the UNH product in the first place.
The good feelings didn't fully carry over. In Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, Pesce posted a -1, a minor footnote in an otherwise encouraging stretch. Over the week's Devils action — which also included a 5-4 win over Detroit on Tuesday and a 1-4 loss to Ottawa on Monday — Pesce's net impact was clearly a net positive, with the Rangers game standing as the signature moment.
Fellow UNH Wildcat Will MacKinnon is also on the Devils' roster, though he did not register stats in the tracked period.
Trevor van Riemsdyk Sidelined in Pittsburgh
The week's hardest news for UNH fans came out of Pittsburgh. The Penguins placed defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk on injured reserve, ending his early-season availability before it could gain any traction. No timeline for his return was disclosed. His brother James van Riemsdyk — also a UNH alum — is active with the Detroit Red Wings, though he didn't surface in this week's tracked action.
Around the Rest of the Wildcat Pack
Warren Foegele had a quietly productive stretch in Ottawa. The Senators winger registered an assist and a +1 in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Islanders, adding a +1 on Monday against the Devils. Ottawa's week was mixed — a blowout loss to St. Louis sandwiched between wins — but Foegele stayed relevant on the scoresheet when it mattered.
Andrew Poturalski (Sharks) and Angus Crookshank (Panthers) did not appear in the tracked stats for the period.
Four games, three storylines, and at least two Wildcats giving NHL fans from Durham something to cheer about. DeSmith and Pesce are the names to watch as the season finds its footing.
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