Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish begin their first season as official members of Big Ten Hockey. Notre Dame was Hockey East’s lone representative at the Frozen Four last year and adds much-needed depth to the conference. But they’re joining the league after being decimated by eventual NCAA champion Denver and losing their two best players — forward Anders Bjork and goalkeeper Cal Petersen. The move also gives Notre Dame some travel respite given its proximity to teams like Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State.
“Playing in the Big Ten, I think it's something that’s certainly going to be an important contribution to our program and its history,” Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson said.