A SCSU graduate and acclaimed guitarist will kick off the National Collegiate Hockey Conference men’s hockey playoff series opener this weekend at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.

Paul “Stretch” Diethelm will perform the Star-Spangled Banner on the ice before top-seeded St. Cloud State takes on Miami University in the NCHC playoffs. Friday’s game is slated for a 7:37 puck drop.

Diethelm will also be playing an acoustic set in the atrium of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center before Friday’s game.

Paul “Stretch” Diethelm is the founder of a Minnesota rock band the Fabulous Armadillos. He wrote, performed and produced “The Husky Hockey Song” played before each game.

Stretch also toured with Grammy Award winning rock and blues artist Jonny Lang.