A Look Back

The 2015-16 season ended in heartbreak for the Irish, falling in overtime to Michigan in the Midwest Regional semifinals.  Yet that game would also serve as a harbinger of things to come. Netminder Cal Petersen would don the “C” and continue his outstanding performance between the pipes, and stellar forward Anders Bjork would plant himself firmly in the Hobey Baker conversation. 

The 2016-17 squad would prove to be solid and steady throughout the year; a mix of offensive firepower, aggressive but savvy defense, and a virtual brick wall in net.  Finishing with a 23-12-5 record overall, the Irish’s climb through the rankings was punctuated by victories over #3 Boston College, #4 Minnesota-Duluth, and #5 Boston University.  The team would punch its ticket to the Frozen Four with bookend 3-2 OT wins in the Northeast Regional over Minnesota and UMass-Lowell, where it would run into a loaded Denver University squad.  The Pioneers ripped through the Irish 6-1 on their way to a national championship, ending the season with heartbreak yet again.

Off-season

Summertime in South Bend was somewhat bittersweet, as the Irish said goodbye to two departing seniors (Ben Ostile, Chad Katunar.)  Yet they also lost arguably their top two leaders, with Bjork and Petersen signing contracts with the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings respectively.

Yet Coach Jeff Jackson was able to soothe the sting of those losses with the knowledge that 7 of his top 10 scorers from last season still have two or more seasons of eligibility remaining, along with the addition of a highly talented freshman class.  With the Spencer Penrose Award finalist returning for his 13th season behind the Irish bench, Irish faithful have good reason to get excited about the 2017-18 campaign.

2017-18 Season Roster Updates

A Look Ahead

The waters look fairly calm on the surface, but the depths of the 2017-18 season are wrought with mystery and intrigue.  Jackson and his staff will lean heavily on their high-powered offense to keep the pressure off their young netminders, but the journey through the Big Ten Conference is laden with pitfalls.

The veteran group of Evans, Ogilvie, and Gross will be counted on to generate both leadership and scoring chances.  These three share the puck as well as any, but may need to be a bit more selfish when it comes to taking shots on net.  Newcomer Theisen has the ability to make an immediate contribution on the scoresheet, but it will take a collective effort to overcome the loss of Bjork’s 20+ tallies.

Eisenmenger could prove to be the dark horse of the freshman class, as his inconspicuous numbers seem to belie his true potential.  His performance over two seasons in the J20 SuperElit earned him a brief two game stint in the Swedish Hockey League, which many consider the most competitive in the world behind the NHL and KHL. 

Hellickson fits the mold of a Notre Dame defenseman:  stout in their own zone with the ability to move the puck and generate some opportunities at the other end.  He takes pride protecting his net and manages to stay out of the penalty box for the most part.  His 28 points ranked 9th in the USHL amongst defenseman, with most of those coming at even strength, and should make a nice addition to a solid Irish blue line corps.

The most glaring question in regards to this season’s lineup rests with the goaltenders.  Having lost Petersen to the pros and Katunar to graduation, the only experienced netminder in the Irish locker room is Sophomore-to-be Cale Morris — and his only appearance came in the third period of the 9-2 victory over Arizona State in the season opener.  With the addition of talented newcomers Sanford and St. Cyr to the mix, look for competition for the starting spot to be both fierce and close.

When it was first announced that Notre Dame would be joining the Big Ten for the upcoming season, we applauded the decision.  While Hockey East has some of the most prestigious programs in collegiate hockey, the Big Ten isn’t exactly a bunch of cream puffs either.  The Minnesota Gophers have 5 national championships to their name and hold the record for all-time wins with over 1600 and climbing.  The Wisconsin Badgers have notched 6 national titles, while the Michigan Wolverines hold the all-time record with 9.  Ohio State won 21 games last season and ended the 2016-17 campaign ranked #14 in the nation.  The Nittany Lions exploded on the scene last season, making a whole lot of noise on their way to a 25-12-2 record and top ten ranking (#8).  While they no longer have to face the “Bostons” (University and College), many would say the Irish have gone from frying pan to fire with the move.

Notre Dame always felt out of place in the Hockey East Conference.  Although the Irish have fans at all points on the map, only true hockey fanatics could appreciate the matchups against the likes of the Eagles, Terriers, Black Bears, and the rest.  Now, even casual fans will have plenty to get excited about this season.  After all, this is Big Ten country, where rivalries run generations deep.  It would surprise very few if tickets at Compton Family Ice Arena were among the hottest around.

Our Prediction

Everything hinges on whether one of the young netminders can seize the reins and play with a maturity beyond their years.  If that happens, the Irish have a solid chance to win the Big Ten and make another deep run in the playoffs.  But that’s a mighty big IF.  All three candidates have the skills to play at this level, but none have faced a schedule like the one that lies ahead.  With the defending national champion Denver Pioneers coming to town early in the season - and just as loaded as last year - someone is going to have to ‘grow up’ in a hurry for the Irish to be successful.  Fortunately for Jackson’s crew, the Irish get a healthy dose of home cooking for all of October, with Denver being the only powerhouse program on the slate.

Yet if none of the keepers are able to find solid footing by Halloween, the nightmare in might just be beginning.  The Irish open their first Big Ten campaign on the road at Columbus, where the Buckeyes and their fanatical followers likely won’t be gracious hosts.  Following that is a visit by the upstart Nittany Lions, who are looking to prove that their magical 2106-17 season was no fluke.  And with perennial powerhouse Minnesota at home and road trips to East Lansing and Madison all before the winter break, the Big Ten may prove to be even less hospitable than Elm Street.

If we had to pick, St. Cyr would be our odds-on favorite to become the new starter.  This isn’t a knock against Morris or Sanford, mind you - both are highly skilled and quite capable.  Either one could easily take charge of the position and do a solid job.  Yet having played last season with the USNTDP, St. Cyr faced collegiate competition and has a better idea of what the Irish are up against.  Combining that with the international teams he has seen, St. Cyr could be considered the most ‘seasoned’ of the young trio.

Notre Dame should finish in the top half of a very tough Big Ten Conference, but where is anyone’s guess.  Coming in third would still position the Irish well for the post season, and second would be nothing to be ashamed off given their youth in the crease.  Tops in the league isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but most likely the Irish will struggle to find their identity in the early going before hitting stride in the second half.  Look for the Irish to finish 2nd or tied for 2nd with Penn State, and closely behind league champion Minnesota.  The Irish will earn a return to the NCAA Regional tournament, and from that point on it becomes anybody’s ballgame…