By Joe Paisley

Former Colorado College standout Chad Rau made personal history last Saturday by scoring the game-winning goal in his National Hockey League debut for the Minnesota Wild.

Without knowing it, the forward also added to CC hockey lore as one of four ex-Tigers competing in the same NHL contest – a program first.

“I didn't even realize that,” Rau said from his apartment in Houston, where he was sent down on Wednesday to the American Hockey League's Aeros while the Wild are on the All-Star break. “It says a lot about CC and its program to have four.”

Rau's red lighter against Dallas goalie Kari Lehtonen was part of a club-record three tallies in 59 seconds that ended the starter's night and gave Stars backup Richard Bachman, a former Colorado College All-American, his 12th appearance this season.

Bachman joined Rau, Wild defenseman Nate Prosser and Dallas fourth-liner Toby Petersen for the final period of Minnesota's 5-2 victory.

“To have two in the same game is something,” Prosser said. “Four is amazing.”

It illustrates how competing for CC and in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association prepares players for the pros. No fewer than 13 former Tigers have earned ice time in the NHL this season with defenseman Kris Fredheim, Rau and wing Bill Sweatt all making their debuts in "The Show" while appearing in two games apiece to date.

“I know playing in the WCHA put me in a lot of high-pressure situations – especially at Denver, North Dakota, Minnesota – that has helped me be successful in the pros,” said Rau, the only one of the three to record a point so far.  “It definitely helped me develop a lot as a player to get me where I am now.”

That challenging college experience, expected to get only tougher when the Tigers join the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference in 2013, is paying off.

“You're seeing more college players, especially WCHA guys, stay at that level,” said CC assistant coach Eric Rud. “We bring in high-skill guys, coach them and help them develop their game.”

The participation of five or six Colorado College products in an NHL game is possible if Fredheim is called up to join Prosser and Rau when the Wild meet Dallas again. In addition to Bachman and Petersen, 2011 graduate and AHL wing Stephen Schultz also is in the Stars organization .

Prosser expects to see more of Rau, his longtime friend and fellow Minnesota native, in St. Paul, where the defenseman has been up from the farm team for 20 NHL games this season.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “We definitely saw 'why' in the two games he played here. He has a good shot and can generate offense.”

It only added to a special night for the four Tigers when they saw a current and former teammate shine in his debut.

“That was awesome,” Prosser said. “He's worked so hard for everything he's gotten. To make it to the NHL and to score the game winner that night really was something special to see.”
 

Richard Bachman (2007-09) – Seized No. 2 goalie spot at Dallas with a 6-2-1 record, .917 saves percentage, 2.50 goals against in 12 games in 2011-12 ... Appeared for 10 scoreless minutes in NHL debut in 2010-11.
Brian Connelly (2006-09) – Before being traded to the Calgary organization for veteran forward Brendan Morrison and joining the Abbotsford (B.C.) Heat on Friday, Jan. 27, the two-time AHL all-star defenseman was second in points (36) in 43 games for the Rockford Ice Hogs ... His team-high 31 assists ranked second among the league's blue-line specialists.
Joey Crabb (2002-06) – Surpassed NHL season highs in points (16) and goals (8) in 38 games with Toronto Maple Leafs in 2011-12 already ... Has played in 115 NHL games (15 goals, 25 assists).
Mark Cullen (1998-2002) – Has one assist in six Florida Panther games (38 total in NHL) and 25 points (20 assists) for AHL San Antonio in 2011-12.
Trevor Frischmon (2002-06) – Has 12 points (4g,8a) in 38 games for AHL Bridgeport ...Had no points in three NHL games, including debut with Columbus, in 2009-10 season.
Kris Fredheim (2006-10) – Made NHL debut with the Wild in 2011-12, recording no points in two games ... Has four assists in 40 games with Houston of AHL.
Jake Gannon (2005-09) – Concussion-like symptoms have limited him to 12 games (one assist) at AHL Peoria this season.
Jack Hillen (2004-08) – Signed as a free agent by the Nashville Predators in offseason ... Has six points (2g,4a) in 44 games in 2011-12, raising his career NHL totals to 56 points (10g,46a) in 219 games.
Ryan Lowery (2007-11) – Has seven points (1g,6a) in 26 games with AHL Oklahoma City.
Curtis McElhinney (2001-05) – Has 1-0 record (1.67 GAA, .944 saves percentage) in two appearances as Phoenix Coyotes backup in 2011-12 adding to NHL game total of 69 games (16-22-4) ... signed one-year, two way deal with Phoenix in July 2011 ... Currently in AHL Portland where he is 10-13-0 (3.04, .907) in 25 appearances.
Toby Petersen  (1996-2000) – Appeared in 389 NHL games (33-47–80) including 31 this season (2-2–4).
Richard Petiot (2001-05) – Played in six games (no points) with AHL Norfolk before an undisclosed injury ... Signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay organization in July 2011 ... Has three assists in 15 NHL career games (made debut with LA Kings in 2005-06).
Nate Prosser  (2006-10) – Has played in 20 Wild games (six assists) this season to raise NHL total to 25 games (seven assists) ... Has four assists in 19 AHL Houston games in 2011-12.
Chad Rau (2005-09)  – Scored game winner in NHL debut last Saturday ... Now has two NHL appearances and 19 points (7g,12a) in 38 AHL Houston games in 2011-12.
Stephen Schultz (2007-11) – Has recorded eight points (7g,1a) in 28 games for AHL Texas.
Brett Sterling  (2002-06) – No points in four Blues appearances in 2011-12 while bumping  NHL game total to 30 (5-4–9) ... with 36 points (16g,20a), is second leading scorer for AHL Peoria.
Colin Stuart (2000-04) – Appeared in two games (no points) with the Buffalo Sabres this season to up NHL total to 56 ... Has 17 points (8g,9a) in 25 games at AHL Rochester.
Mark Stuart (2002-05) – Assistant captain for the Winnipeg Jets and ranks second in NHL in blocked shots (123), with seven points (3g,4a) in 48 games ...Has played in 354 NHL games (17-31–48).
Bill Sweatt  (2006-10) – No points in two Vancouver Canucks  games in NHL debut earlier this season ... 20 points (10g,10a) in 38 AHL Chicago games.
Mike Testwuide (2006-10) – Has 22 points (8g,14a) in 39 games for AHL Adirondack ... On pace to surpass career AHL highs (18-21–39) from first pro season in 2010-11.