Sept. 19, 2017

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- University of Notre Dame hockey senior forward Jake Evans will captain the 2017-18 Fighting Irish squad, head coach Jeff Jackson announced. Additionally, seniors Jordan Gross and Luke Ripley and junior Andrew Oglevie will serve as alternate captains for the upcoming campaign.

Evans and Ripley previously served as alternate captains a season ago as the Irish advanced to the 2017 Frozen Four.

"Our three senior captains [Evans, Gross and Ripley] have had a significant role on and off the ice over the last three years,” Jackson said. “Over that time, they have impacted our team's culture in a very positive way and that has translated to improved results and success on the ice. Their growth as young men has enhanced their ability to communicate and lead their teammates and our team in a positive direction. As a junior, Andrew will be a big help with our young players on campus transitioning into college life. He made huge strides in his game and with his role in our locker room last year. The increased respect of teammates was earned by his commitment to his personal development and the success of our team.”

Evans skated in all 40 games for the Irish last season, tallying career-high totals for goals (13), assists (29) and points (42). His 29 assists and 42 points were good for second on the team, while he ranked ninth in Hockey East in assists and 10th in points. He had a pair of assists in Notre Dame’s 3-2 comeback victory against No. 1 Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA Championship, and also assisted on Cam Morrison’s game-tying goal against UMass Lowell to help send the Irish to the Frozen Four. With 92 career points (28-64-92), Evans is the fourth-leading returning scorer in college hockey. The 2014 Montreal Canadiens draftee’s 64 career assists ranks second among returning players.  

Gross is in the midst of a 119-consecutive-games-played streak, dating back his first game in an Irish uniform. Last season as a junior, he notched 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points en route to being named a Hockey East Honorable Mention All-Star. He played a key role in helping lift Notre Dame to the Frozen Four, assisting on Anders Bjork’s game-winning goal against No. 1 Minnesota in the tournament’s first round. He is the top returning scorer among defenseman in college hockey with 91 career points (26-65-91).

Ripley appeared in 38 games on the Irish blue line last season. He enters his senior season with 117 career games played and has scored three goals and added 12 assists for 15 points. For his career, Ripley is +12 and has 117 penalty minutes. As a freshman, he was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team.

Oglevie had a breakout year offensively for the Irish in 2016-17. He skated in all 40 games and finished third on the team with 41 points on 21 goals and 20 assists, all of which were career-high totals. He increased his point total from his freshman year to sophomore season by 32, while his 41 points tied for 11th in Hockey East. He scored the overtime, game-winning goal against UMass Lowell in the NCAA Northeast Regional Final to send the Irish to the 2017 Frozen Four.

“I am extremely proud of these young men,” Jackson added. “They have earned this honor and the responsibilities that come with it. I expect that they will follow the tradition of tremendous Irish hockey captains and lead our team to great heights this year."

The Irish will open the 2017-18 season with a home exhibition contest versus the USNTDP (U18) at 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1, and then will enter regular-season play the following weekend with a home series against Alabama-Huntsville (Oct. 6-7). To purchase tickets, click here.

-- ND --