Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame Fighting Irish athletic logo

University University of Notre Dame
Conference CCHA
Head coach Jeff Jackson
8th year, 160–97–30
Arena Compton Family Center
Capacity: 5,022
Location Notre Dame, Indiana
Colors Blue and Gold

             

NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
2008, 2011
NCAA Tournament Appearances
2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013
Conference Tournament Champions
CCHA: 2007, 2009, 2013
Conference Regular Season Champions
CCHA: 2006–07, 2008–09
Current uniform
CCHA-Uniform-ND.png

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the University of Notre Dame, competing at the NCAA Division I level. Prior to the 2013-14 season, the team competed in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and also won its last ever conference championship. Beginning with the 2013-1014 season, the team will move to the Hockey East conference.

Contents

History [edit]

Ice hockey has existed on and off as both a club and varsity sport at Notre Dame since 1912. In 1968, the Fighting Irish started playing again at the Division I level as an 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.[1]

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

The Fighting Irish lasted only two years in the new CCHA, after designating Ice Hockey as a club sport for the 1983-1984 season the team 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.[2] 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 year after was drastically different. 2005 was the worst season in Notre Dame history. The five-win campaign resulted in the resignation of coach Poulin.[1]

Jeff Jackson era [edit]

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.[1] 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.[3] Notre Dame also became the first four-seed to advance to the national semifinals, and eventually to the national title game since the new 16-team format was introduced in 2003.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5][6] 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 Semifinals. The Irish fell to the eventual national champion 3-4.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9] The team opened the university's new 5,000-seat Compton Family Center on October 21, 2011 against Rensselaer.[10] 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.[11] On January 4, 2012, former coach and long-time Notre Dame Athletic Department employee, Charles "Lefty" Smith died.[12] 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.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14]

Head coaches [edit]

All-time coaching records [edit]

As of completion of 2011–12 season[1]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2005–present Jeff Jackson 7 160–97–30 .610
1995–2005 Dave Poulin 10 139–197–50 .425
1987–1995 Ric Shafer 8 112–152–15 .428
1968–1987 Lefty Smith 18 285–314–30 .477
1926–1927 Benjamin Dubois 1 3–7–1 .318
1923–1926 Tom Lieb 3 3–8–3 .321
1919–1923 Paul Castner 4 18–4–0 .818
1912–1913 G.R. Walsh 1 1–2–0 .333
Totals 8 coaches 52 seasons 721–781–129 .482

Players [edit]

Current roster [edit]

As of October 12, 2012. [15]

Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey roster
# State Player Pos S/G Class Birth Date and Age Hometown Previous Team
1 Alaska Steven Summerhays G L Junior (1990-08-29) August 29, 1990 (age 22) Anchorage, Alaska Green Bay (USHL)
3 British Columbia Shayne Taker D L Junior (1990-02-12) February 12, 1990 (age 23) Surrey, British Columbia Cowichan (BCHL)
5 Illinois Robbie Russo D R Sophomore (1993-02-15) February 15, 1993 (age 20) Westmont, Illinois US NTDP (USHL)
6 Michigan Andy Ryan D R Freshman (1993-07-24) July 24, 1993 (age 19) Brighton, Michigan Sioux City (USHL)
8 Illinois Sam Calabrese D R Senior (1991-03-18) March 18, 1991 (age 22) Park Ridge, Illinois US NTDP (USHL)
9 Minnesota Lee, AndersAnders Lee C R Junior (1990-07-03) July 3, 1990 (age 22) Edina, Minnesota Green Bay (USHL)
10 Iowa David Gerths C L Junior (1990-09-27) September 27, 1990 (age 22) Ankeny, Iowa Green Bay (USHL)
11 Wisconsin Jeff Costello LW R Junior (1990-11-20) November 20, 1990 (age 22) Milwaukee, Wisconsin Cedar Rapids (USHL)
12 Illinois Sam Herr LW L Freshman (1992-10-13) October 13, 1992 (age 20) Hinsdale, Illinois Green Bay (USHL)
14 Illinois Thomas DiPauli C L Freshman (1994-04-29) April 29, 1994 (age 19) Woodridge, Illinois US NTDP (USHL)
15 Austria Peter Schneider RW R Sophomore (1991-04-04) April 4, 1991 (age 22) Vienna, Austria Indiana (USHL)
16 Michigan Michael Voran RW R Junior (1990-03-27) March 27, 1990 (age 23) Livonia, Michigan Sioux Falls (USHL)
17 Minnesota Nick Larson LW L Senior (1989-11-14) November 14, 1989 (age 23) Apple Valley, Minnesota Waterloo (USHL)
18 Illinois Tynan, T. J.T. J. Tynan C R Junior (1992-02-25) February 25, 1992 (age 21) Orland Park, Illinois Des Moines (USHL)
19 Illinois Garrett Peterson RW R Sophomore (1991-09-13) September 13, 1991 (age 21) Manhattan, Illinois Lincoln (USHL)
20 Connecticut Kevin Nugent RW R Senior (1989-03-01) March 1, 1989 (age 24) New Canaan, Connecticut Tri-City (USHL)
21 Michigan Bryan Rust RW R Junior (1992-05-11) May 11, 1992 (age 21) Bloomfield Hills, Michigan US NTDP (USHL)
22 Minnesota Lucia, MarioMario Lucia LW L Freshman (1993-08-25) August 25, 1993 (age 19) Plymouth, Minnesota Penticton (BCHL)
23 Wisconsin Eric Johnson D L Sophomore (1991-03-28) March 28, 1991 (age 22) Verona, Wisconsin Dubuque (USHL)
25 Illinois Kevin Lind D L Junior (1992-03-31) March 31, 1992 (age 21) Homer Glen, Illinois Chicago (USHL)
26 Minnesota Steven Fogarty C R Freshman (1993-04-19) April 19, 1993 (age 20) Edina, Minnesota Penticton (BCHL)
27 Alaska Austin Wuthrich RW R Sophomore (1993-08-11) August 11, 1993 (age 19) Anchorage, Alaska US NTDP (USHL)
28 Pennsylvania Stephen Johns D R Junior (1992-04-18) April 18, 1992 (age 21) Wampum, Pennsylvania US NTDP (USHL)
29 Indiana Jared Beers D R Junior (1990-08-15) August 15, 1990 (age 22) Mishawaka, Indiana Cedar Rapids (USHL)
31 Michigan Joe Rogers G L Junior (1990-02-27) February 27, 1990 (age 23) Marysville, Michigan Albert Lea (NAHL)
32 Wisconsin Mike Johnson G L Senior (1989-02-01) February 1, 1989 (age 24) Verona, Wisconsin Cedar Rapids (USHL)

Notable alumni [edit]

Over 100 Fighting Irish alumni have gone on to play professional ice hockey, including a number of current and former NHL and WHA players.[16]

Compton Family Ice Arena [edit]

In February 2009, The University of Notre Dame announced it will begin construction on a new, freestanding, on-campus ice arena designed to meet the needs of both the Irish hockey team and the local community.[17] Construction on the 5,022-seat arena began on March 15, 2010 with the venue opening in the Fall of 2011.[18] The arena held its first Notre Dame hockey game on October 21, 2011 when a sellout crowd saw Notre Dame defeat Rensselaer 5-2.[19]

The new ice arena is located south of the Joyce Center, just north of Edison Road, and just west of where the new Irish track and field facility is being constructed. The majority of the general public arena seating is of the chair-back variety with bleacher seating in the student section.[20] The Compton Family Center replaced the rink inside the Edmund P. Joyce Center. During the time that the Irish played at the Joyce Center, the facility was the second smallest home rink in the CCHA with a hockey capacity of 2,857. All seats were benchers, and most of the seating consists of temporary bleachers. In 2007, the Irish compiled an impressive 14-2-2 home record at the Joyce Center.

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Notre Dame Men's Hockey: Team History". US Colleg Hockey Online. 1996-2010. Retrieved December 12, 2010. 
  2. ^ "Year-by-year Standings". Central States Collegiate Hockey League. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  3. ^ a b AP Staff (March 31, 2008). "Notre Dame books ticket to first frozen four". USA Today. Retrieved March 31, 2008. 
  4. ^ NHL.com Staff (March 28, 2009). "Bemidji State stuns top-seeded Notre Dame; Cornell nips Northeastern". National Hockey League. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  5. ^ "Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Hockey 2009-2010 Team Statistics". U.S. College Hockey Online. 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  6. ^ Boggs, Justin J. (March 6, 2010). "Carlson Stops 47 as Ohio State Sweeps Notre Dame". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  7. ^ Gardiner, Andy (April 7, 2011). "Minnesota-Duluth tops Notre Dame for spot in title game". USA Today. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  8. ^ AP Staff (October 6, 2011). "Notre Dame joining Hockey East". ESPN. Retrieved April 30, 2012. 
  9. ^ Di Carlo, Angelo (October 16, 2011). "Irish Icers fall in final hockey game ever at the Joyce Center". WNDU-TV. Retrieved April 30, 2012. 
  10. ^ Meenan, Jim (October 20, 2011). "Notre Dame hockey: Opening night finally arrives". Retrieved April 30, 2012. 
  11. ^ DeFranks, Matthew (January 19, 2012). "A brand new barn". The Observer. Retrieved April 30, 2012. 
  12. ^ a b Di Carlo, Angelo (January 4, 2012). "Irish hockey legend "Lefty" Smith passes away at age 81". WNDU-TV. Retrieved April 30, 2012. 
  13. ^ Gans, Sam (March 4, 2012). "Hockey: Irish sweep Ohio State, advance in playoffs". The Observer. Retrieved April 30, 2012. 
  14. ^ Lacy, Eric (March 10, 2012). "Michigan hockey sweeps Notre Dame, advances to CCHA semifinals". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 30, 2012. 
  15. ^ Notre Dame men's ice hockey roster
  16. ^ "Alumni Report". Internet Hockey Database. 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2010. 
  17. ^ "Hockey Arena Construction". University of Notre Dame. 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  18. ^ Masoud, Chris (April 19, 2010). "Hockey: New arena to boost program". The Observer. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  19. ^ Meenan, Jim (October 22, 2011). "Notre Dame hockey: Irish win first game in Compton Family Ice Arena". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved November 26, 2011. 
  20. ^ "Notre Dame to Construct New Ice Arena on Campus". und.cstv.com. Retrieved 2009-02-12. 

External links [edit]