Numerous Clarkson University Hockey alums are continuing their playing careers professionally in 2014-15, highlighted by five former Golden Knights who have skated in the National Hockey League this season.

Long-time NHL veterans Erik Cole and Willie Mitchell are looking to add another Stanley Cup Championship to their resumes while former Golden Knight standouts Grant Clitsome and Mark Borowiecki are striving to add their name to the Cup in 2014-15.

Statistics are through games of December 17

A Stanley Cup Champion with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, Cole is playing his second full season with the Dallas Stars and 13th NHL campaign overall. The power-forward has skated in 29 games, scoring five goals to go along with five assists.

Mitchell, a two-time Stanley Cup Champion (2012, 2014), with the Los Angeles Kings, is in his 15th NHL season this year with the Florida Panthers. Florida's captain, Mitchell has played in 29 games on the blueline with the Panthers recording one goal and one assist as a stay-at-home defenseman.

In his sixth NHL season and third full year with the Winnipeg Jets, Clitsome, a defenseman, has played in 17 games with two assists.

A 2011 Calder Cup Champion in the American Hockey League with Binghamton in his first season of professional hockey, Borowiecki is looking to play a full-time role on the blueline with Ottawa after playing parts of the past three NHL seasons with the Senators. A hard-hitting defenseman who has seen his share of fights in the NHL, Borowiecki has skated in 26 games with three assists this season.

A native of Oswego, NY, Cole was an All-American forward for the Green and Gold, playing 103 career games and recording 103 points (52-51) over three season from 1997-2000. Mitchell, a native of Port McNeill, BC, was an all-star defenseman for Clarkson from 1997-99, playing in 68 games for the Golden Knights, recording 19 goals and 36 assists. Clarkson's last All-American, Clitsome, from Gloucester, ONT, skated four seasons on the blueline for the Knights, recording 73 points (16-57) in 150 games from 2004-08. A Kanata, ONT native, Borowiecki led the Clarkson defense for three seasons (2008-11), playing in 99 career games and scoring 32 points (12-20).

Brandon DeFazio '11 became the latest former Golden Knight standout to reach the NHL when the Vancouver Canucks recalled the forward from the AHL's Utica Comets on November 9. The Oakville, ONT native played in two games, both wins for Vancouver, before rejoining Utica. Through 26 games with the Comets, he has tallied 15 points on nine goals and six assists. DeFazio played in 141 games at Clarkson (2007-11) and recorded 77 points on 36 goals and 41 assists.

Four former Clarkson Hockey players now serve in the front office of NHL teams. The Knights' all-time leading scorer, Dave Taylor '77 is in his fourth season with the St. Louis Blues acting as Vice President of Hockey Operations. Jarmo Kekalainen '89 is in his second season as General Manager for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Craig Conroy '95 is now an Assistant GM for the Calgary Flames. Chris Clark '98 serves as the Development Coach for Columbus.

Former Knights Also Playing Professional Hockey

American Hockey League

Alex Boak/Wilkes-Barre

Kent Huskins/Utica

David Leggio/Bridgeport

Allan McPherson/Rochester

Ben Sexton/Providence (injured)

East Coast Hockey League

J.F. Houle - Head Coach Bakersfield

Jarrett Burton/Wheeling

Andrew Himelson/Greenville

Europe

DEL2 (Germany 2nd Division)

Matt Beca/ EC Bad Nauheim

Shawn Weller/Ravensburg

Germany 3rd Division

Rob McFeeters/ ERC Sonthofen 1999

Louke Oakley/ EV Regensburg

EIHL

Chris Blight/Dundee Stars

Will Frederick/Hull Stingrays

Jay Latulippe/Sheffield

Matt Nickerson/Fife

Austria

Chris D'Alvise/ Dornbirner EC

Gregor Baumgartner/EHC Linz

Denmark

Phil Paquet/Rungsted

SPHL

Adam Pawlick/Pensacola

Corey Tamblyn/Fayetteville

Sweden

Markus Piispanen/Nybro IF

Knights in the NHL