Hockey East boasts a long tradition of representation on the world stage of ice hockey, most notably in prominent international tournaments.

Typical of the Hockey East influence was the U.S. roster for the World Junior Championships in 1999. Nine Hockey East players representing six different programs took part: Pat Aufiero (BU), Rick DiPietro (BU), Patrick Foley (UNH), Ron Hainsey (UML), Barrett Heisten (Maine), Doug Janik (Maine), Willie Levesque (NU), Brooks Orpik (BC) and John Sabo (BU). DiPietro was selected as the Most Outstanding Goaltender.

In the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, eight former Hockey East players steered Team USA to a silver medal, its best finish since the 1980 team won the gold medal in storybook fashion. Among the 2002 silver medalists were 1998 Olympic team veterans Tony Amonte (BU), Bill Guerin (BC), Brian Leetch (BC) and Keith Tkachuk (BU). Former Hockey East Commissioner Lou Lamoriello served as general manager for the squad while another former Friar, Ron Wilson, served as head coach.

The torch is already being passed by those veterans to a new crop of patriots, primarily DiPietro, Chris Drury (BU) and Brian Gionta (BC), the more youthful members of the 2006 Olympic team. Future Team USA entries are likely to include upcoming stars Patrick Eaves (BC) and Jimmy Howard (Maine).

In addition to providing an outstanding feeder source for the U.S. National Teams, Hockey East has offered a unique option for Canadian prospects and for a handful of overseas talents as well.

Keith Tkachuk has played in two World Cups and four Olympic tournaments In addition to the players listed at right, scores more have played for Team USA at the annual World Championships and World Junior Championships.

Several prominent Canadian players have trekked through the Hockey East ranks, most notably Paul Kariya, who took the league by storm as a freshman in 1992- 93, recording 100 overall points in leading the Black Bears to the 1993 NCAA championship. Kariya has repeatedly represented Canada at the highest levels of international competition.

Only two Europeans are slated to compete in Hockey East play in 2006-07 (Swede Viktor Stälberg and Slovak Slavomir Tomko, both of the University of Vermont,) but the league is just four years removed from its peak of European participation when 11 student-athletes representing nine different countries played in Hockey East. A total of 41 Europeans have played in Hockey East, most originating from the Scandinavian countries of Finland (16 players) and Sweden (11). But there have also been players from Austria, France, Latvia, Norway, Russia, Scotland, Slovakia and Switzerland.