Nashville Predators: The University of Wisconsin-Nashville?

The Predators seem to have a hockey connection with the University of Wisconsin.

The University Wisconsin is widely regarded as one of the elite college hockey programs in the country. A perennial powerhouse, known for developing college hockey players into NHL ready studs.

Major UW alumni in the NHL (outside of Nashville) include Chris Chelios, Brian Rafalski, Dany Heatley, Curtis Joseph, Joe Pavelski, Jack Skille and Derek Stepan.

The Predators organization includes three stellar Badger hockey players.

Could Nashville be a UW campus?

Here are the Badgers with the Predators.

Craig Smith

Craig Smith had two very good seasons with the Badgers.

In 2009-2010, Smith was a member of the WCHA All-Rookie team. With an electric wrist shot, Smith recorded 33 points as a freshman. The 2010 Badger hockey team lost in the NCAA Championship to Boston College.

In 2010-2011, Smith was named a team captain. Again, an offensive force, Smith recorded 43 points (19 goals and 24 assists).  

He has tremendous upside, so much that he was named to the USA Hockey team to play in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships. At the World Championships, Smith led the team in goals and was second in points. 

The Preds are lucky to have Craig Smith.

Blake Geoffrion

Geoffrion is from one of hockey's most legendary families. His great grandfather, Howie Morenz, was one of the NHL's first big stars and a member of the Hall of Fame. His grandfather, Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, is considered to be the inventor of the slapshot and is also a member of the Hall of Fame. Blake's father also played in the NHL.

Blake Geoffrion's lineage was on full display in his four years at the University of Wisconsin. In 2010, the Badger captain led UW to the NCAA Championship game (along with linemate Craig Smith). Along the way, Geoffrion won the school's first Hobey Baker Award. He was also named 2010 USA Hockey College Player of the Year.

In 2009-2010, Geoffrion was also a first team All-American and a member of the WCHA first team. He led the nation in powerplay goals. Geoffrion was the best college hockey player I've ever seen play at the Kohl Center.

In 20 games with the Predators last year, Geoffrion scored six goals and notched two assists. Geoffrion excelled in limited playing time. 

Ryan Suter

Suter spent one year in Madison with the Badgers. In that lone season (2003-2004), Suter recorded 19 points before moving on to play for the Milwaukee Admirals.

As an NHL player, Suter has been very good. In six seasons with the Predators, Suter has scored 31 goals and notched 161 assists. He is an alternate captain for the Preds.

An excellent defenseman, Suter was named to the 2010 US Olympic Hockey team. On that team, Suter was an alternate captain. As we all know, the US won the silver medal that year.