So I did a little research over the weekend about Wolverine hockey players playing in the Stanley Cup Final over the past 11 years. This year, sadly, we don’t have anyone representing the maize and blue—Carl Hagelin almost made it.

The past two years, a Michigan Wolverine has won the Stanley Cup. Steve Kampfer in 2011 with the Boston Bruins and John Madden for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.

There were no Wolverines playing between 2006-2009 when the Pens beat the Red Wings, the Red Wings beat the Pens and the Ducks beat the Senators.

In 2006, Aaron Ward (90-93) won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurrcanes.

There was no hockey season in 2005—let’s not make a habit of this, NHL, okay?

In 2004, Tampa beat Calgary and again there was not a single wolverine playing. In 2003, Madden won the cup while playing for the New Jersey Devils over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (before their name change).

In 2002, the Red Wings beat the Hurricanes. Aaron Ward was on the Hurricanes team.

Madden was on the losing end in 2001 when he played for the the New Jersey Devils and they were beat by the Colorado Avalanche.

And that is the history of wolverines in the Stanley Cup Finals over the past 11 years…4 Cups and 2 losses with 5 years of no one playing.

The Florida Panthers have signed center John Madden to a one year contract.

Madden played for the Wolverines from 1993-97 scoring 80 goals and 100 assists. He set an NCAA record for most career shorthanded goals at 23 and won a National Championship with Michigan in 1996. He was member of the CCHA First All Star Team and the NCAA West First All-American Team.

Throughout his NHL career he spent most of his time with the New Jersey Devils, helping them to two Stanley Cup victories, one year with the Chicago Blackhawks where they also won a Stanley Cup and 1 year with the Minnesota Wild.

The Florida Panthers are currently 20-12-7 through 39 games this season and are in first place in the Southeast Division with a 3 point lead over the Washington Capitals.

From the video posted on the Panthers website, it sounds like John is ready for his assignment.

“Whatever they ask me to do, I’ll do it. Obviously the penalty kill will probably be my go to thing, but I mean whatever they ask I will try to do my best at it.”

For the complete interview click here.

Good luck, John!