April 20, 2001

Notre Dame, Ind. – University of Notre Dame hockey coach Dave Poulin announced today that goaltender Morgan Cey (Wilkie, Sask.), defenseman Joe Zurenko (Arlington Heights, Ill.) and forwards Alex Lalonde (Newmarket, Ont.), Cory McLean (Fargo, N.D.) and Yan Stastny (St. Louis, Mo.) have signed national letters-of-intent to attend Notre Dame beginning in the fall of 2001.

These five players, along with three signed in the early signing period, give Poulin eight new players signed for the coming season. One of the early signees, forward Matt Amado (Surrey, B.C.), has deferred his enrollment and will play one more year of junior hockey before joining the Irish in the fall of 2002.

“I’m very excited about this group of incoming players. This is one of the most diverse classes we’ve ever had,” says Poulin. “We’ve recruited players who should be able to step in and push for playing spots immediately. I really think we have increased our talent level and depth tremendously.”

They will replace six players lost to graduation – goaltender Kyle Kolquist, defenseman Ryan Clark and forwards Dan Carlson, Chad Chipchase, Ryan Dolder and Matt Van Arkel – along with junior forward Brett Henning, who announced his retirement in January after suffering a neck injury.

Cey is a 6-1, 175-pound goaltender who played this past season with the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). He led the Bombers to the Dodge Conference title and the league’s regular season title before falling in the playoff semi-finals. A First Team SJHL all-star selection, Cey was named the league’s Most Valuable Player after recording a 35-16-0 in 3,139 minutes played with a goals against average of 2.62 and a .916 save percentage. His 35 wins are the most by any junior goaltender in Canada. Cey and his Flin Flon Bomber teammates will be the host team for the Royal Bank Cup which will decide the Tier II junior championship of Canada beginning on May 5th.

“With Morgan, we feel we are getting one of the top goaltenders in North America. His numbers and post season honors speak for themself. He led his team to the top in the SJHL and has them ranked among the best junior teams in all of Canada. He is one of those goaltenders that always finds a way to stop the puck. Most importantly, he knows how to win,” says Poulin.

Zurenko is a 6-1, 202-pound defenseman who played this past season for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). A solid, stay-at-home defender, Zurenko had a goal and three assists with 49 PIM in helping Green Bay to a first-place finish in the Eastern Division with a 32-13-11 record.

“Joe is a tough, physical, stay-at-home defenseman. He gives us another solid, quality player on the blueline who will add to our depth on defense,” says Poulin.

Lalonde is a 6-0, 190-pound center who played this past year with the Ajax Axemen of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL). A descendent of National Hockey League pioneer and hall of famer, Edouard “Newsy” Lalonde, he scored 38 goals with 29 assists for 67 points in 49 regular season games to lead Ajax in scoring. His 38 goals were 11th best in the 37-team OPJHL while his team finished first in the league’s Southern Division with a 42-19-3 record.

“Alex is a very talented offensive player. He’s a strong skater with excellent offensive skills. He plays with a lot of grit and determination. He knows how to create scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates,” commented Poulin.

McLean joins the Irish after playing this season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. A 5-10, 175 pound center, McLean was named the winner of the USHL’s Curt Hammer Award which is presented annually to the league’s most gentlemanly player, who embodies what the USHL stands for on and off the ice. He is the third Notre Dame recruit to be named the winner of the Hammer Award joining current Irish standout, Aaron Gill and former Irish defenseman, Mark Eaton, who now plays for the Nashville Predators in the NHL. McLean finished 10th in the league in scoring with 24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points (included in the 24 goals are eight power play goals, two shorthanded goals and a game winner). He was selected to the USHL all-star game and was voted as his team’s Most Valuable Player and top defensive player.

“Cory has a lot of the qualities that we see in Aaron Gill (current Irish freshman center). He comes to play every night, he works hard, he’s an outstanding skater who will add speed and leadership to our lineup. I think he will be a great addition to our team,” stated Poulin.

Stastny played his junior hockey with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL where he recorded 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points along with 101 penalty minutes in 44 games. Included in his goals were five power play markers, three shorthanded goals and a pair of game winners. He was selected to play in the USHL all-star game but did not play due to injuries. The 5-11, 175-pound forward is the son of 15-year NHL star Peter Stastny who had 450 goals and 789 assists for 1,239 points for the Quebec Nordiques, the New Jersey Devils and the St. Louis Blues during his career.

“Yan is a tough, gritty competitor who had a strong season in his first year in the USHL. He’s a complete, all-around player who should be able to step in and add to our offensive attack next season,” said Poulin.

The five signees join defenseman Derek Smith (Marysville, Mich./USA Under-18 Team) and forwards Matt Amado (Surrey, B.C./Penticton Panthers – BCHL) and Brad Wanchulak (Edson, Alb./Camrose Kodiaks – AJHL) who signed letters-of-intent in the early signing period.

Notre Dame Hockey Incoming Freshman Class

Matt Amado # F 6/21/83 5-11 185 Left Surrey, B.C./Penticton Panthers (BCHL)

Morgan Cey G 10/27/81 6-1 175 Right Wilkie, Sask./Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)

Alex Lalonde F 6/21/83 6-0 180 Left Newmarket, Ont./Ajax Axemen (OPJHL)

Cory McLean F 1/5/81 5-10 175 Left Fargo, N.D./Chicago Steel (USHL)

Derek Smith D 4/2/83 6-0 185 Left Marysville, Mich./USA Under 18 Team

Yan Stastny F 9/30/82 5-11 175 Left St. Louis, Mo./Omaha Lancers (USHL)

Brad Wanchulak F 6/18/80 6-0 185 Left Edson, Alb./Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)

Joe Zurenko D 11/28/82 6-1 202 Right Arlington Hgts., Ill./Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

# has deferred his letter-of-intent to fall of 2002