SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame hockey team kicks off the 2024-25 season with an exhibition tilt against the US National Team Development Program Friday evening. Puck drop is set for 7:05pm against the U-18 program.
Prior to puck drop, the team will host students on the lawn outside Compton Family Ice Arena for a Student Fan Fest from 5:30-6:30pm.
This season, fans can view line charts for home games online at fightingirish.com/HKYLineCharts. Lines will be posted online approximately 90 minutes before puck drop (timing subject to change).
SERIES OVERVIEW
Opponent: USNTDP U-18 Team
Location: South Bend, Ind.| Compton Family Ice Arena
Schedule: Fri. 7:05pm
TV: Youtube
Live Stats: FightingIrish.com
Radio: fightingirish.com/radioaffiliates/
Game Notes: Notre Dame | USNTDP
QUICK HITS
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The Irish team returns 19 student-athletes from the 2023-24 roster, including 11 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders. The forwards include graduate senior Grant Silianoff and seniors Justin Janicke, Hunter Strand and Tyler Carpenter. Returning defensemen include four who appeared in the final series of the 2023-24 season in Michael Mastrodomenico, Paul Fischer, Zach Plucinski and Henry Nelson.
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Notre Dame returns two 20+ point scorers from a season ago as Danny Nelson (9-14-23) and Cole Knuble (9-11-20) embark on their sophomore season with the Irish.
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In total, eight returners posted double-digit points last season. In addition to Nelson and Knuble, Hunter Strand (4-15-19), Justin Janicke (4-12-16), Paul Fischer (2-14-16), Brennan Ali (3-10-13), Maddox Fleming (3-9-12) and Grant Silianoff (4-7-11) look to improve upon their double-digit performances a season ago.
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At the last line of defense, the Irish return Jack Williams in goal and add two new netminders to the mix in Nicholas Kempf (USNTDP) and Owen Say (Mercyhurst)
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The Irish add 10 new faces to the squad in 2024-25, including five freshmen and five transfers. The 10 newcomers consist of five forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders.
NOTRE DAME vs. USNTDP
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All-time the Irish are 4-4-2 against the US National Team Development Program. The first-ever meeting between the two teams came in 2003-04 when the Irish hosted the U18 team in a 4-0 victory.
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The Irish have traveled to Plymouth, Michigan just once in the 10-game history which ended in a 2-2 overtime stalemate.
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Most recently, the Irish dropped a 5-3 decision to the visiting USNTDP team in 2022-23. Irish alum and former U18 player Ryder Rolston scored less than a minute into the contest to get the scoring going but the contest was tied 2-2 after the opening period. Current Irish senior forward Tyler Carpenter had the other Irish first-period tally.
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Another USNTDP alum and current senior forward, Justin Janicke had an assist on the third goal of the contest.
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The 2024-25 roster features 10 USNTDP alumni, including Blake Biondi, Hunter Strand, Justin Janicke, Brennan Ali, Maddox Fleming, Cole Knuble, Paul Fischer, Danny Nelson, Carter Slaggert and Nicholas Kempf.
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The Irish and USNTDP have a long history together as 54 individuals have laced up their skates for both programs during their hockey career.
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The USNTDP was started in 1996 and began competition in 1997 with current Irish Catalino Family Head Hockey Coach Jeff Jackson serving as the first-ever coach in the program’s history.
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Jackson envisioned and started the development program on the basis of growing the American talent and setting USA Hockey up for greater success at the international level.
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The USNTDP has since gone on to develop nearly 400 NHL draft picks, including current Irish rostered players like Justin Janicke, Brennan Ali, Cole Knuble, Paul Fischer, Danny Nelson and Nicholas Kempf.
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The Irish also have five alumni currently playing in the NHL that were a part of the USNTDP during their junior career.