Gross is tied for third in the country for goals scored by a defenseman.

Getting to Know Jordan Gross

Jan. 14, 2016

By Teagan Dillon

Jordan Gross is a sophomore defenseman from Maple Grove, Minn. After playing two-plus seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, he made himself a staple in the Notre Dame lineup by playing in all 42 games as a freshman, with seven goals and 21 assists.

Currently ranked fourth on the team with 16 points (6-10-16), Gross is giving the Irish an offensive spark as they continue on an eight-game winning streak. As of Jan. 13, his six goals have him tied for third in the country for goals by a defenseman, and his 16 points put him tied for fifth in the country among defensemen.

As the second half of the season progresses on Friday against Merrimack, Gross and the rest of the Irish are preparing for intense competition and a successful season.

What are you doing differently this year in order to make the playoffs?

I think we’re just having a little better approach and staying positive. We’re trying to focus on little things that transfer in the game and lead to wins.

What are your goals for the season?

Obviously our goal is to win the whole thing, but we have a couple separate goals: win most our home games and make it back to Frozen Four.

How does being fourth on the team in points and third in the nation in goals affect your confidence going into each game?

I think I shoot the puck a lot more. Just getting the chances and continuing to build that confidence.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment so far is probably playing in the state tournament for my high school [Maple Grove High School].

Did you guys win?

ââ’¬¦No

Before coming to Notre Dame, you played for the Green Bay Gamblers with Sam Herr, Dawson Cook and Connor Hurley. How did knowing them help you transition into your freshman year?

It was good to have relationships already built with guys on the team. I even played a tournament with Cal [Petersen] during our second year before coming in. It was good to have a solid base before coming in.

What NHL player do you look up to?

I like Sidney Crosby a lot. He plays hard, and I think is the best player in the world. I always love watching him.

If you weren’t playing hockey, what would you be doing?

If I weren’t playing hockey, I would probably be golfing. I play in the summers and in my free time now.

Do you think the NHL should increase the size of the net to allow more exciting and high-scoring games?

I think it’s fine the way it is-maybe make goalie’s pads a little smaller.

If the Notre Dame hockey team competed in a triathlon, who would be the first to finish and who would be last?

The first person to finish would be Steven Fogarty. I think I would be somewhere near the bottom.

Who is your goofiest teammate?

Probably one of the goofier guys is Chad Katunar. He’s always pulling funny pranks and saying funny stuff.

Do you have any pregame rituals or routines?

No, not really. I don’t really stick to the same thing too often.

If you were playing Coach Jackson in bubble hockey, who would win?

I’ve never seen him play, but I’m pretty good at bubble hockey.

— ND —

Teagan Dillon is a sophomore student assistant for Fighting Irish Media, working closely with the Athletics Communications Directors for men and women’s soccer, hockey and men and women’s lacrosse. An Accounting major with a minor in Journalism, Ethics and Democracy, Dillon is from Detroit, Michigan.