Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey
Encyclopedia
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the University of Notre Dame
. The team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
at the NCAA
Division I level.
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.
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. 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.
, 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. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
5-2.
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. The Compton Family Center replaced the rink inside the Edmund P. Joyce Center
. Durith 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.
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. The team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
at the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I level.
History
Ice hockey has existed on and off as both a club and varsityVarsity team
In the United States and Canada, varsity sports teams are the principal athletic teams representing a college, university, high school or other secondary school. Such teams compete against the principal athletic teams at other colleges/universities, or in the case of secondary schools, against...
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
Western Collegiate Hockey Association
The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference....
(WCHA). The team continued playing in the WCHA for a decade until moving to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA) with the conference's three Michigan schools in 1981.
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
Central States Collegiate Hockey League
The Central States Collegiate Hockey League is Division I ACHA club level hockey-college athletic conference. The CSCHL is in its 39th season of existence and is one of the top ranked ACHA leagues. It currently has 7 member teams in the Midwestern United States.-Format:League teams play a 20-game...
(CSCHL). Notre Dame finished that season second in the CSCHL with a record of 13-2-0. 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
Dave Poulin
David James Poulin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
. 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.
Jeff Jackson era
In 2005, Jeff Jackson took over as head coach. Jackson, who had already won two national championships at Lake Superior State UniversityLake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste...
, 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. 2007 was even more successful. The Irish achieved their first ever number one ranking in both the Uscho.com and USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
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
New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey
The New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of New Hampshire. The Wildcats are a member of Hockey East...
7-3 and third-seeded Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey
The Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents Michigan State University . The team plays at the Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Michigan, on the MSU campus. The current head coach is Tom Anastos, who took over coaching duties on March 23, 2011,...
3-1 to advance to the Frozen Four for the first time in school history. From there, they defeated first-seeded Michigan
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
in overtime to advance to the national title game, ultimately losing to Boston College 4-1. 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. 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
Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey
The Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey and a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The Beavers represent Bemidji State University and play at the Bemidji Regional Events Center in Bemidji, Minnesota...
1-5.
The following season, Notre Dame finished with a record of 13-17-8 and ended the season after being swept by Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Ohio State University. The Buckeyes are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association...
two games to none in the three game opening round series of the CCHA Playoffs. 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
New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey
The New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of New Hampshire. The Wildcats are a member of Hockey East...
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.
All-time coaching records
As of completion of 2009–10 season| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–present | Jeff Jackson | 6 | 141–79–27 | .626 |
| 1995–2005 | Dave Poulin Dave Poulin David James Poulin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.-Playing career:... |
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 | 51 seasons | 702–763–126 | .481 |
Notable alumni
Over 100 Fighting Irish alumni have gone on to play professional ice hockey, including a number of current and former NHL and WHA players:- Jim BrownJim Brown (ice hockey)Jim Brown is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played in three games with the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League in the 1982–83 NHL season....
- Jack BrownschidleJack BrownschidleJohn J. "Jack" Brownschidle, Jr. is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 494 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues and Hartford Whalers between 1977 and 1985. He was born in Buffalo, New York. Brownschidle was also a member of the University of Notre Dame hockey team before...
- Jeff BrownschidleJeff BrownschidleJeffrey Paul Brownschidle was an American ice hockey defenceman. He played in the NHL for the Hartford Whalers.-External links:...
- Ian ColeIan ColeIan Cole is an American professional ice hockey defenseman. He is currently playing with the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League . -Playing career:...
- Erik CondraErik CondraErik P. Condra is an American professional ice hockey player. Condra is a member of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
- Mark Eaton
- Rob GlobkeRob GlobkeRobert Frederick Globke is an American ice hockey player for the Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League. Globke graduated from the University of Notre Dame and from Southfield Christian School.-Transactions:...
- Christian HansonChristian Hanson (ice hockey)Christian David Hanson is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Washington Capitals. Prior to playing for the Capitals, Hanson played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and in the American Hockey League for the Toronto Marlies. He played amateur hockey for the University...
- Larry IsraelsonLarry IsraelsonLarry Israelson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He played 105 games in the World Hockey Association with the Vancouver Blazers and Calgary Cowboys.-External links:...
- Don JacksonDon Jackson (ice hockey)Donald Clinton Jackson is an ice hockey coach and a retired professional ice hockey player who played 315 games in the National Hockey League between 1978 and 1987 and began his coaching career in 1988....
- Brett LebdaBrett LebdaBrett Steven Lebda is an American professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League...
- Mike McNeillMike McNeillMichael McNeill is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 63 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Quebec Nordiques.- External links :...
- Greg MeredithGreg MeredithGregory Paul Meredith is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. A finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, Meredith attended Notre Dame, where he set the Notre Dame all-time goals record, with 104...
- Kevin Nugent
- Bill NyropBill NyropWilliam D. Nyrop was a professional ice hockey player who won three Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in 1976, 1977, and 1978.-Early life:...
- Wes O'NeillWes O'NeillWes Samuel O'Neill is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL. He has previously played with the Colorado Avalanche organization of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:O'Neill was drafted 115th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry...
- Victor OreskovichVictor OreskovichVictor J. Oreskovich is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League within the Vancouver Canucks organization of the National Hockey League...
- Alex PirusAlex PirusJoseph Alexander Pirus is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played 159 NHL games for the Minnesota North Stars and Detroit Red Wings. He was drafted 41st overall in the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft from the University of Notre Dame by the North Stars.Currently a member of -External...
- Dave PoulinDave PoulinDavid James Poulin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
- Ben SimonBen SimonBenjamin Clarke Simon is an American former professional ice hockey player who last played with the Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League during the 2010-11 season...
- Yan StastnyYan StastnyYan Stastny is an American-Canadian born professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Yan comes from a notable hockey family, and is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Šťastný...
- Tim WallaceTim WallaceTimothy T. Wallace , is a professional American ice hockey centre with the New York Islanders organization. Before starting his professional career, Wallace played four seasons with the University of Notre Dame of the CCHA. A product of the U.S...
- Brian WalshBrian Walsh (ice hockey)Brian Walsh is an American retired professional ice hockey player who played five games in the World Hockey Association with the Calgary Cowboys during the 1976–77 WHA season.-External links:...
Arena
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. Construction on the 5,022-seat arena began on March 15, 2010 with the venue opening in the Fall of 2011. The arena held it's first Notre Dame hockey game on October 21, 2011 when a sellout crowd saw Notre Dame defeat RensselaerRPI Engineers men's ice hockey
The RPI Engineers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Engineers are a member of ECAC Hockey . They play at the Houston Field House in Troy, New York.- History :Men's ice...
5-2.
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. The Compton Family Center replaced the rink inside the Edmund P. Joyce Center
Edmund P. Joyce Center
The Joyce Center is a 9,800-seat multi-purpose arena in Notre Dame, Indiana just north of South Bend, Indiana. The arena opened in 1968. It is home to the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish basketball and volleyball teams...
. Durith 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.