Which UND teams had the most NHL talent?

Last week, Rhett Gardner made his NHL debut for the Dallas Stars.

When he did that, he became the 10th player from the 2016 NCAA national championship team to play in the NHL, joining Brock Boeser (Vancouver Canucks), Nick Schmaltz (Chicago Blackhawks/Arizona Coyotes), Drake Caggiula (Edmonton Oilers/Chicago Blackhawks, Luke Johnson (Chicago Blackhawks), Shane Gersich (Washington Capitals), Paul LaDue (Los Angeles Kings), Tucker Poolman (Winnipeg Jets), Troy Stecher (Vancouver Canucks) and Christian Wolanin (Ottawa Senators).

An 11th player, goalie Cam Johnson, dressed in a game for the New Jersey Devils but didn't play.

Ten NHL players on a single college hockey roster is a lot, but it's not UND's record.

That program record belongs to the 1981-82 UND team, which won the NCAA national championship before sending 12 of its players to the NHL.

The players from that roster who made the NHL were Jim Archibald, Dan Brennan, Dave Donnelly, Craig Ludwig, Troy Murray, James Patrick, Gord Sherven, Phil Sykes, Dave Tippett, Rick Zombo, Jon Casey and Darren Jensen.

Even more impressive is that there were only 21 NHL teams at that time (compared to 31 now), which meant fewer NHL jobs.

The 2016 team is tied for second alongside five other UND teams that also sent 10 players to the NHL. The others that had 10 NHLers were 2010-11 (MacNaughton Cup, Broadmoor Trophy, Frozen Four), 2006-07 (Frozen Four) 2005-06 (Broadmoor Trophy, Frozen Four), 1990-91 and 1982-83.

Three teams had nine NHLers: 2012-13, 1989-90 and 1983-84. Eight UND teams sent eight players to the NHL.

Could the 2016 team catch the 1981-82 squad in NHLers?

The St. Louis Blues praised the play of Austin Poganski in training camp, and he could be in line for a callup. If Poganski plays an NHL game, the 2016 team would move into sole possession of second place in program history.

If it wanted to get to 12, it would need Poganski along with Chris Wilkie, Keaton Thompson or Johnson to play in an NHL game.

1981-82 (12) -- Jim Archibald, Dan Brennan, Dave Donnelly, Craig Ludwig, Troy Murray, James Patrick, Gord Sherven, Phil Sykes, Dave Tippett, Rick Zombo, Jon Casey, Darren Jensen

2015-16 (10**) -- Brock Boeser, Drake Caggiula, Shane Gersich, Paul LaDue, Tucker Poolman, Nick Schmaltz, Troy Stecher, Christian Wolanin, Luke Johnson, Rhett Gardner

2010-11 (10) -- Derek Forbort, Matt Frattin, Chay Genoway, Corban Knight, Andrew MacWilliam, Brad Malone, Brock Nelson, Carter Rowney, Dillon Simpson, Aaron Dell

2005-06 (10) -- Taylor Chorney, Joe Finley, Brian Lee, T.J. Oshie, Chris Porter, Matt Smaby, Drew Stafford, Jonathan Toews, Matt Watkins, Travis Zajac

2006-07 (10) -- Taylor Chorney, Joe Finley, Chay Genoway, Brian Lee, T.J. Oshie, Chris Porter, Jonathan Toews, Chris VandeVelde, Matt Watkins, Travis Zajac

1990-91 (10) -- Brad Bombardir, Justin Duberman, Neil Eisenhut, Jason Herter, Dane Jackson, Greg Johnson, Jeff McLean, Russ Romaniuk, Paxton Schulte, Dixon Ward

1982-83 (10) -- Jim Archibald, Dan Brennan, Dave Donnelly, Chris Jensen, James Patrick, Scott Sandelin, Gord Sherven, Dave Tippett, Rick Zombo, Jon Casey

2012-13 (9) -- Drake Caggiula, Derek Forbort, Rocco Grimaldi, Corban Knight, Andrew MacWilliam, Carter Rowney, Jordan Schmaltz, Dillon Simpson, Zane McIntyre

1989-90 (9) -- Justin Duberman, Neil Eisenhut, Jason Herter, Dane Jackson, Greg Johnson, Jeff McLean, Russ Romaniuk, Garry Valk, Dixon Ward

1983-84 (9) -- Jim Archibald, Perry Berezan, Brad Berry, Dan Brennan, Chris Jensen, Scott Sandelin, Gord Sherven, Rick Zombo, Jon Casey

2013-14 (8) -- Drake Caggiula, Rocco Grimaldi, Paul LaDue, Jordan Schmaltz, Dillon Simpson, Troy Stecher, Zane McIntyre, Luke Johnson

2014-15 (8) -- Drake Caggiula, Paul LaDue, Tucker Poolman, Jordan Schmaltz, Nick Schmaltz, Troy Stecher, Zane McIntyre, Luke Johnson

2009-10 (8) -- Matt Frattin, Chay Genoway, Corban Knight, Andrew MacWilliam, Brad Malone, Carter Rowney, Chris VandeVelde, Aaron Dell

2011-12 (8) -- Derek Forbort, Rocco Grimaldi, Corban Knight, Andrew MacWilliam, Brock Nelson, Carter Rowney, Dillon Simpson, Aaron Dell

2007-08 (8) -- Taylor Chorney, Joe Finley, Matt Frattin, Chay Genoway, Brad Malone, T.J. Oshie, Chris VandeVelde, Matt Watkins

2003-04 (8) --Brandon Bochenski, Matt Greene, Matt Jones, Brady Murray, Zach Parise, Chris Porter, Matt Smaby, Drew Stafford

1984-85 (8) -- Jim Archibald, Perry Berezan, Brad Berry, Jay Caufield, Tony Hrkac, Chris Jensen, Bob Joyce, Scott Sandelin

1979-80 (8) -- Marc Chorney, Craig Ludwig, Doug Smail, Phil Sykes, Mark Taylor, Mickey Volcan, Howard Walker, Darren Jensen

**An 11th player, Cam Johnson, dressed in an NHL game but did not play.