Cale Makar, Frank Vatrano lead biggest crop of UMass players ever in NHL.

Boston — There will be two former Minutemen on the ice when the NHL’s best travel to Toronto for All-Star Weekend next month.

Frank Vatrano, a native of East Longmeadow and a former Minuteman, represented the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the initial round of player announcements. With 12 assists, he has scored 21 goals, three short of his career high. His first nomination as an All-Star.

Cale Makar, who traveled to Boston on Thursday with the Colorado Avalanche to play the Bruins, was selected by fans to the All-Star team for the third time. Leading Norris Trophy contender and dark horse for the Hart Trophy is the 2019 Hobey Baker winner who guided UMass to its first Frozen Four.

Not only are there more former Minutemen in the NHL this year than ever before—13 former UMass players have played in at least one game—but there are even more than just the All-Stars.

“It’s amazing to witness the program’s success,” Makar remarked on Thursday morning following his morning skate. “I definitely stay in touch with a lot of close friends from UMass, especially when we cross paths in life.”

Jonathan Quick — The former Conn Smythe winner has been reborn for the Rangers. The 37-year-old goal has thrived as New York’s No. 2 goalie since signing as a free agent. He’s 9-3-2 with a 2.49 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

Mario Ferraro — While the Sharks have struggled, the ex-Minuteman defenseman is having a strong year. He’s their No. 1 defenseman with a goal, 13 assists and a team-high 23:51 of average ice time.

Brandon Montour — Injured earlier in the season, Montour, a short-time Minuteman isn’t having the same impact as he did when he amassed 73 points last year. Still, he’s been heavily counted on with 23:08 minutes per game before Thursday on a Panther team that’s challenging Boston in the Atlantic Division.

Conor Sheary — The much-traveled 31-year-old is in his first season in Tampa. He’s been a double-digit goal scorer every year since 2016-17, but a November injury slowed him. He’s got just one goal and seven assists this season in 26 games.

Zac Jones — The 23-year-old defenseman is still trying to establish himself as a permanent NHL player. He’s been up and down this year for the Rangers with 14 games in the NHL.

Matt Murray — The Stars prospect has only played one game in the NHL this year as he’s blocked by two veterans in Dallas, but he made the most of his call-up with 23 saves in a 4-0 shutout of the Minnesota Wild.

Mitchell Chafee —He is looking for a call-up and has scored 24 points in 31 games with the Syracuse Crunch after playing one game with the Lightning.

Matthew Kessel —After spending a portion of three seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds, Kessel was called up shortly before the new year and has since participated in seven games in his second NHL stint.

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