Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team of the University of Notre Dame, competing at the NCAA Division I level as an associate member of the Big Ten Conference. The Irish play their home games at Compton Family Ice Arena. The head coach of the Fighting Irish is Jeff Jackson, and his assistant coaches are Paul Pooley, Andy Slaggert, and Max Mobley.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Current season
UniversityUniversity of Notre Dame
ConferenceBig Ten
Head coachJeff Jackson
16th season, 33420664 (.606)
CaptainNate Clurman
Alternate captain(s)Pierce Crawford
Matt Hellickson
Colin Theisen
ArenaCompton Family Ice Arena
Capacity: 5,022
LocationNotre Dame, Indiana
ColorsBlue and Gold[1]
         
NCAA Tournament Runner-up
2008, 2018
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
2008, 2011, 2017, 2018
NCAA Tournament appearances
2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Conference Tournament championships
CCHA: 2007, 2009, 2013
Big Ten: 2018, 2019
Conference regular season championships
CCHA: 2006–07, 2008–09
Big Ten: 2017–18
Current uniform

Conference history

Prior to the 2013–14 season, the team competed in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and also won its last ever conference championship. In the 2013–2014 season, the team began to play in the Hockey East conference, where it played until the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season. Beginning in the 2017–2018 season, the team joined the Big Ten Conference.[2]

History

Ice hockey has existed on and off as both a club and varsity sport at Notre Dame since 1912. The modern era of Notre Dame hockey began in 1968, when the Fighting Irish began to play as a Division I independent. In 1971, the team joined its first conference, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The team continued playing in the WCHA for a decade until moving to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) with the conference's three Michigan schools in 1981.[3]

Notre Dame hockey player in an away uniform (2010).

The Fighting Irish lasted only two years in the new CCHA, when ice hockey was downgraded to a club sport for the 1983–1984 season. During that season, the Fighting Irish played in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League (CSCHL). Notre Dame finished that season second in the CSCHL with a record of 13–2–0.[4] In 1984–1985 Notre Dame Hockey was once again elevated to varsity status with the team playing as a Division I independent. In 1992 Notre Dame rejoined the CCHA. The Irish struggled to remain competitive in the CCHA, but began to improve under head coach Dave Poulin. In 2004, Poulin led the team to its first ever NCAA Tournament. However, the following season was dramatically different. They only won five games, the worst season in school history. Poulin resigned after the season.[3]

Jeff Jackson era

Jeff Jackson and coaching staff look on as Notre Dame celebrates a goal (2010).

In 2005, Jeff Jackson took over as head coach. Jackson, who had already won two national championships at Lake Superior State University, had an immediate impact at Notre Dame. In his first season with the Irish, the team greatly improved upon the five-win season, boosting its record to 13–19–5.[3] 2007 was even more successful. The Irish achieved their first ever number one ranking in both the Uscho.com and USA Today Polls and their first number one seeding for the NCAA Tournament. The following year, the Irish finished fourth in both the CCHA's regular season and playoffs, and again made the NCAA Tournament. Once there, the Irish went on to beat top-seeded New Hampshire 7–3 and third-seeded Michigan State 3–1 to advance to the Frozen Four for the first time in school history. From there, they defeated first-seeded Michigan in overtime to advance to the national title game, ultimately losing to Boston College 4–1.[5] Notre Dame also became the first four-seed to advance to the national semi-finals, and eventually to the national title game since the new 16-team format was introduced in 2003.[5] In the 2008–2009 season, the Irish added another CCHA regular season title and a CCHA Tournament title, defeating Michigan 5–2 in the title game. Notre Dame advanced to the 2009 NCAA Tournament where the Irish was upset by 16th seeded Bemidji State 1–5.[6]

The following season, Notre Dame finished with a record of 13–17–8 and ended the season after being swept by Ohio State two games to none in the three game opening round series of the CCHA Playoffs.[7][8] The Irish rebounded in the 2010–11 regular season at 23–13–5, and clinched their second trip to the Frozen Four in program history by defeating New Hampshire 2–1 in the Northeast Regional Final. The Fighting Irish faced the East Regional Champion Minnesota-Duluth in the National Semi-finals. The Irish fell to the eventual national champion 3–4.[9]

In October 2011, Notre Dame announced the team will join Hockey East starting in the 2013–14 season, in response to the conference realignment. The university also announced an expanded television broadcast deal with NBC.[10] The Fighting Irish Hockey began the 2011–12 season in the Edmund P. Joyce Center and played the last hockey game at the Joyce Center on October 15, 2011 against Ohio State.[11] The team opened the university's new 5,000-seat Compton Family Ice Arena on October 21, 2011 against Rensselaer.[12] Following the move into the new arena the Irish improved to a 7–3 home record in the new facility that included wins over future Hockey East rivals, Boston University, ranked 3th in the NCAA, Boston College, ranked 4th, and 8th ranked Western Michigan.[13] On January 4, 2012, former coach and long-time Notre Dame Athletic Department employee, Charles "Lefty" Smith died.[14] Smith coached the team from 1968 to 1987 as the first varsity ice hockey after helping the program transition from club to varsity status. Following his coaching career, he continued at Notre Dame in the athletic department until retiring just three days before his death.[14] The Fighting Irish finished the regular season with an overall record of 17–16–3 and a conference record of 12–13–3. The team defeated Ohio State in the opening round of the 2012 CCHA Tournament, sweeping the Buckeyes in two games by scores of 2–0 and 4–2.[15] In the second round of the CCHA Tournament, the team was defeated by the Michigan Wolverines in two games in a series that saw the first game go into a double overtime.[16] The team was defeated in the first round of the NCAA regional playoffs in 2013 and 2014, both times by the St. Cloud State Huskies.[17]

Season-by-season results[18]

Head coaches

All-time coaching records

As of completion of 2019–20 regular season[18]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2005–presentJeff Jackson15334–206–64.606
1995–2005Dave Poulin10139–197–50.425
1987–1995Ric Schafer8112–152–15.428
1968–1987Lefty Smith18†285–314–30.477
1926–1927Benjamin Dubois13–7–1.318
1923–1926Tom Lieb33–9–3.300
1919–1923Paul Castner419–5–1.780
1912–1913G.R. Walsh11–2–0.333
1911–1912No Coach11–0–01.000
Totals 8 coaches 61 Seasons 897–892–164 .501

† The Program was dropped to club status for the 1983–84 season.

Postseason

NCAA Tournament Results

The Fighting Irish have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 11 times.

YearSeedRoundOpponentResults
2004No. 4Midwest Regional Semifinal#1 MinnesotaL 2-5
2007No. 1Midwest Regional Semifinal
Midwest Regional Final
#4 Alabama-Huntsville
#3 Michigan State
W 3-2
L 1-2
2008No. 4West Regional Semifinal
West Regional Final
Frozen Four
National Championship
#1 New Hampshire
#3 Michigan State
#1 Michigan
#2 Boston College
W 7-3
W 3-1
W 5-4
L 1-4
2009No. 1Midwest Regional Semifinal#4 Bemidji StateL 1-5
2011No. 3Northeast Regional Semifinal
Northeast Regional Final
Frozen Four
#2 Merrimack
#4 New Hampshire
#3 Minnesota-Duluth
W 4-3
W 2-1
L 3-4
2013No. 1Midwest Regional Semifinal#4 St. Cloud StateL 1-5
2014No. 2West Regional Semifinal#3 St. Cloud StateL 3-4
2016No. 3Midwest Regional Semifinal#2 MichiganL 2-3
2017No. 4Northeast Regional Semifinal
Northeast Regional Final
Frozen Four
#1 Minnesota
#2 UMass-Lowell
#1 Denver
W 3-2
W 3-2
L 1-6
2018No. 1East Regional Semifinal
East Regional Final
Frozen Four
National Championship
#4 Michigan Tech
#2 Providence
#2 Michigan
#3 Minnesota-Duluth
W 4-3
W 2-1
W 4-3
L 1-2
2019No. 3Northeast Regional Semifinal
Northeast Regional Final
#2 Clarkson
#1 UMass
W 3-2
L 0-4

Statistical Leaders[18]

Career points leaders

Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Brian Walsh 1973–1977 140 89 145 234 273
John Noble 1969–1973 123 81 145 226 159
Eddie Bumbacco 1970–1974 133 103 117 220 71
Ian Williams 1970–1974 126 92 119 211 239
Mike McNeill 1984–1988 124 83 115 198 80
Dave Poulin 1978–1982 135 89 107 196 175
Greg Meredith 1976–1980 149 104 88 192 72
Paul Regan 1969–1973 125 89 97 186 272
Clark Hamilton 1973–1977 145 70 113 183 231
Dave Bankoske 1988–1993 141 73 109 182 86

Career goaltending leaders

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

minimum 30 games played

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Jordan Pearce2005–20099455065926718212.9181.98
Cale Morris2016–Present734299462141488.9382.07
Steve Summerhays2010–201410659095738521613.9142.19
Cal Petersen2014–2017110649955391524911.9242.31
David Brown2003–200711163265538112458.9162.32

Statistics current through the start of the 2019–20 season.

Players

Current roster

As of January 3, 2021.[19]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Dylan St. Cyr Senior G 5' 9" (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1999-05-23 Northville, Michigan USNTDP (USHL)
2 Nate Clurman (C) Junior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998-05-08 Boulder, Colorado Langley (BCHL) COL, 161st overall 2016
4 Nick Leivermann Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-09-14 Eden Prairie, Minnesota Penticton (BCHL) COL, 187th overall 2017
5 Matt Hellickson (A) Senior D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1998-03-21 Rogers, Minnesota Sioux City (USHL) NJD, 214th overall 2017
6 Jake Boltmann Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 2001-10-19 Edina, Minnesota Lincoln (USHL) CGY, 80th overall 2020
8 Matt Steeves Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1997-10-04 Bedford, New Hampshire Muskegon (USHL)
9 Grant Silianoff Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 167 lb (76 kg) 2001-01-04 Edina, Minnesota Cedar Rapids (USHL)
10 Cam Burke Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-01-08 Boxborough, Massachusetts Sioux Falls (USHL)
12 Ryder Rolston Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-10-31 Birmingham, Michigan Waterloo (USHL) COL, 139th overall 2020
13 Colin Theisen (A) Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 1997-04-24 Monroe, Michigan Dubuque (USHL)
14 Jesse Lansdell Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 1998-08-05 Surrey, British Columbia Vernon (BCHL)
15 Michael Graham Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1997-11-27 Eden Prairie, Minnesota Muskegon (USHL)
16 Alex Steeves Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 1999-12-10 Bedford, New Hampshire Dubuque (USHL)
17 Pierce Crawford (A) Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1997-06-23 Park Ridge, Illinois Youngstown (USHL)
18 Graham Slaggert Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-04-06 South Bend, Indiana Cedar Rapids (USHL)
19 Landon Slaggert Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-06-25 South Bend, Indiana USNTDP (USHL) CHI, 79th overall 2020
20 Jake Pivonka Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 2000-02-28 Naperville, Illinois USNTDP (USHL) NYI, 103rd overall 2018
21 Max Ellis Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2000-01-18 Plymouth, Michigan Muskegon (USHL)
22 Jack MacNab Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 197 lb (89 kg) 1998-07-03 Indianapolis, Indiana Central Illinois (USHL)
23 Brady Bjork Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 173 lb (78 kg) 1999-05-17 Mequon, Wisconsin St. Cloud (NAHL)
24 Spencer Stastney Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2000-01-04 Mequon, Wisconsin USNTDP (USHL) NSH, 131st overall 2018
25 Solag Bakich Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 1998-01-08 Dallas, Texas Waterloo (USHL)
26 Zach Plucinski Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 206 lb (93 kg) 2000-07-26 Eagle River, Alaska Omaha (USHL)
27 Trevor Janicke Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2000-12-25 Maple Grove, Minnesota Central Illinois (USHL) ANA, 132nd overall 2019
28 Christian DiCesare Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1998-03-28 Morristown, New Jersey Omaha (USHL)
29 Charlie Raith Junior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1997-04-30 Winnetka, Illinois Central Illinois (USHL)
30 Ryan Bischel Sophomore G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-07-05 Medina, Minnesota Fargo (USHL)
33 Nick Sanford Senior G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 1996-12-15 Morristown, New Jersey Boston Jr. Bruins (USPHL)

Awards and honors

US Hockey Hall of Fame[20]


Individual Awards

All-Americans

AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans


Individual Awards

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-WCHA

Second Team All-WCHA


Individual Awards

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-CCHA

Second Team All-CCHA

CCHA All-Rookie Team


Individual Awards

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-Hockey East

Second Team All-Hockey East

Third Team All-Hockey East

Hockey East All-Rookie Team


Individual Awards

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-Big Ten

Second Team All-Big Ten

Big Ten All-Freshman Team

  • 2018–19: Michael Graham, F

Fighting Irish in the NHL[21]

= NHL All-Star Team = NHL All-Star[22] = NHL All-Star[22] and NHL All-Star Team = Hall of Famers

WHA

Several players also were members of WHA teams.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.