June 20, 2018
By Katherine Harvath
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame hockey program and head coach Jeff Jackson have announced the incoming freshman class, slated to join the team for the 2018-19 season. The Irish welcome five forwards and four defensemen to the class of 2022.
The forwards include Cam Burke (Boxborough, Massachusetts/Sioux Falls), Michael Graham (Eden Prairie, Minnesota/Muskegon), Alex Steeves (Bedford, New Hampshire/Dubuque), Graham Slaggert (South Bend, Indiana/Cedar Rapids) and Jake Pivonka (Woodridge, Illinois/USNTDP). On defense, Nate Clurman (Boulder, Colorado/Sioux City), Nick Leivermann (Eden Prairie, Minnesota/Penticton), Spencer Stastney (Mequon, Wisconsin/USNTDP) and Charlie Raith (Winnetka, Illinois/Central Illinois) will join the team.
Three members of the incoming class have family ties to the program. Burke and Steeves will lace up their skates with their brothers, junior Cal Burke and sophomore Matt Steeves. It will mark the 12th and 13th sets of brothers to play for the Fighting Irish and the first since Ben (‘11) and Andy Ryan (‘16).
Slaggert is the son of current associate head coach, Andy Slaggert. It will mark the fifth father-son duo to suit up for the Irish. Additionally, Jake Pivonka is the son of Czech Republic native and former NHL player Michal Pivonka who played over 800 games with the Washington Capitals from 1986-99.
MEET THE CLASS OF 2022:
Nate Clurman
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 200
Position: Defense
Last Team: Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
NHL DRAFT
- Selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the sixth round, 161st overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
IN THE USHL
- Joins the Irish after two seasons in the USHL, competing for three teams.
- Started the 2017-18 season with the Tri-City Storm before playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers and Sioux City Musketeers.
- Registered seven points on as many assists during his time in Sioux City and had a plus-four on ice rating through 19 games.
- Scored a goal and two assists for three points with Des Moines.
- Assisted on three goals during his time with the Tri-City Storm at the beginning of the 2017-18 season.
PREP AND PERSONAL
- Attended Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana.
- Played for Culver Military Academy’s U16 and Prep team all four years, registering 103 points (20-83-103).
- Tallied 43 points off nine goals and 34 assists in his junior season.
Nick Leivermann
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 194
Position: Defense
Last Team: Penticton Vees (BCHL)
NHL DRAFT
- Selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the seventh round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, 187th overall.
IN THE BCHL
- Played the 2017-18 season with the Penticton Vees (BCHL), his first full season at the junior level.
- In 43 games for the Vees in 2017-18, tallied 37 regular-season points on 10 goals and 27 assists.
- Ranked third on the team in assists (27).
- Tallied four assists in three games during the Vees’ Playoff run.
IN THE USHL
- Finished both the 2015-16 (1 GP) and 2016-17 (8 GP) seasons with the Bloomington Thunder, registering a goal in 2016-17.
PREP AND PERSONAL
- Originally from Eden Prairie, Minn.
- Served as captain for the Eden Prairie High School Eagles men’s hockey team in 2016-17.
- Registered 34 points in 21 games (10-24-34) in his final season with the Eagles.
- Participated in the annual “Hockey Day Minnesota” in 2017, defeating Stillwater 4-1 in the outdoor game.
- Former Eagles teammate, Michael Graham, plays for the Irish.
Cam Burke
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Boxborough, Massachusetts
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 176
Position: Forward
Last Team: Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
IN THE USHL
- Spent the past two seasons in the USHL, competing for the Bloomington Thunder (2016-17), the Central Illinois Flying Aces (2017-18) and the Sioux Falls Stampede (2017-18).
- Named captain of the Flying Aces for the 2017-18 season.
- Accumulated 50 points during his time in the USHL (16-34-50).
- Completed his USHL career with eight points for the Stampede (2-6-8) and a plus-four rating.
- Skated in the 2017-18 Clark Cup playoffs with the Stampede where he recorded two goals and an assist in three games.
- Recorded 23 points (8-15-23) while playing for the Central Illinois Flying Aces in 2017-18.
PREP AND PERSONAL
- Spent four years with the Boston Jr. Bruins organization (2012-16).
- Tallied 17 points through 11 games with the Boston Jr. Bruins Selects U16 in 2014-15, finishing second on the team (5-12-17).
- Led the team in assists with 12.
- Recorded 14 points in 13 games with the Boston Jr. Bruins Selects 2 U18 team in 2015-16.
- Competed for Noble & Greenough School from 2013-16.
- Ranked third on the team in points in 2015-16 with 38 points (18-20-38).
- Father, Garrett, played hockey at UMass Lowell from 1988-90.
- Has two brothers, Cal and C.J.
- Older brother, Cal, also plays hockey for Notre Dame.
Michael Graham
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 201
Position: Forward
Last Team: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
IN THE USHL
- Spent the majority of his career with the Fargo Force (2015-17) before playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2017-18.
- Recorded 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points during the 2016-17 season with the Force.
- Appeared in three playoff games as the Force looked to win the Clark Cup trophy in 2016-17.
PREP AND PERSONAL
- Originally from Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
- Played four years with the Eden Prairie High School Eagles, serving as captain during his senior year.
- Tallied 139 career points with the Eagles (51-78-139).
- Spent three seasons alongside Irish teammate, Nick Leivermann, in Eden Prairie.
Alex Steeves
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Bedford, New Hampshire
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 185
Position: Forward
Last Team: Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
IN THE USHL
- Spent three years in the USHL, competing for the Sioux City Musketeers (2015-16) and the Dubuque Fighting Saints (2016-18).
- Named the 2018 USHL Scholar-Athlete Award and the 2018 USHL All-Academic Team.
- Named to the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
- In the 2017-18 season, skated in 55 games for the Fighting Saints, recording 57 points.
- Led the team in points (57; 20-37-57) and assists (37).
- Ranked third on the team in 2017-18 in goals with 20.
- Tallied six points (2-4-6) in five Clark Cup Playoff games in 2017-18.
- Recorded 75 points in 108 career games with Dubuque.
WITH USA HOCKEY
- Named to the U.S. Junior Select Team to represent the United States at the World Junior A Challenge.
- Won silver medal with Team USA at the 2017 WJAC, falling to Canada West in the finals.
- Recorded two assists over the five-game tournament.
PREP AND PERSONAL
- Ranked #86 by NHL Central Scouting’s list of players eligible for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
- Graduated from Dubuque Senior High School.
- Competed for the Manchester Jr. Monarchs from 2014-16.
- Led the U16 team in points (38) and goals (17) in 2014-15.
- Has two brothers, Matt and Ben.
- Older brother, Matt, also plays hockey for the Irish.
Graham Slaggert
Class: Freshman
Hometown: South Bend, Indiana
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 186
Position: Forward
Last Team: Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
IN THE USHL
- Joins the Irish after three seasons in the USHL.
- Most recently skated for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, competing in 53 contests and recording 37 points (17-20-37).
- Ranked fourth in goals for the RoughRiders in 2017-18 with 17.
- Was named assistant captain of the RoughRiders prior to the season.
WITH USA HOCKEY
- Spent two seasons with the USNTDP (2015-17), tallying 19 points (7-12-19) in 61 games.
- Named to U.S. Junior Select Team for World Junior A Challenge.
- Captained Team USA at the WJAC, leading the squad to a silver medal, falling to Canada West in the finals.
- Scored the lone goal for the USA against Canada West.
- Recorded two goals and an assist over the five game tournament.
PREP AND PERSONAL
- Ranked #194 by NHL Central Scouting’s list of players eligible for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
- Spent three seasons in the Chicago Mission organization, competing on minor, major and U16 teams.
- Second on the Minor AAA team in points in 2012-13 with 37 (16-21-37).
- Recorded 18 points (9-9-18) in 26 games with the U16 team in 2014-15.
- Is the son of Tara and Andy Slaggert.
- Father, Andy, is the Associate Head Coach of Notre Dame Hockey.
- Originally from South Bend, Indiana
Jake Pivonka
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Woodridge, Illinois
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 198
Position: Forward
Last Team: USNTDP (USHL)
WITH USA HOCKEY
- Spent two seasons (2016-18) with the USNTDP before joining the Irish.
- Tallied 19 career points with the USNTDP, posting 10 goals and nine assists in 59 career contests.
- Competed for Team USA at the 2018 U-18 World Championships, taking home gold.
- Skated in seven contests at the 2018 WJC-18, tallying two assists.
- Represented Team USA at the 2017 World U17 Hockey Challenge where he recorded two goals through five games.
PREP AND PERSONAL
- Ranked #104 by NHL Central Scouting’s list of players eligible for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
- Played for the Chicago Mission U16 (2015-16).
- Won the High Performance Hockey League Championship as a member of the Chicago Mission U16.
- Gold Medalist at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games.
- Son of Michal and Renata Pivonka.
- Has a brother, Daniel, and a sister, Nicole.
- Father, Michal, played for the Washington Capitals of the NHL.
Spencer Stastney
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Mequon, Wisconsin
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 180
Position: Defense
Last Team: USNTDP (USHL)
WITH USA HOCKEY
- Spent two seasons (2016-18) with the USNTDP before joining the Irish.
- Posted 20 points in 57 career games with the USNTDP.
- Recorded 14 assists during 2017-18.
- Represented Team USA at the 2018 U18 World Championship, helping the team to a silver medal behind his goal and four assists.
- Recorded two assists for Team USA during the 2017 World U17 Hockey Challenge.
PREP AND PERSONAL
- Ranked #93 by NHL Central Scouting’s list of players eligible for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
- Played for the Chicago Mission U16 from 2015-16.
- Won the High Performance Hockey League Championship as a member of the Chicago Mission U16.
- Son of Hoyt and Kathy Stastney.
- Has a brother, Pierce, and sister, Amelia.
Charlie Raith
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Winnetka, Illinois
Height / Weight: 5-9 / 168
Position: Defense
Last Team: Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL)
IN THE USHL
- Joins the Irish after four seasons in the USHL (2014-18).
- Spent two years with the Chicago Steel before playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede, Bloomington Thunder and Central Illinois Flying Aces.
- Most recently skated in 49 games for the Flying Aces, recording 21 points off 3 goals and 18 assists.
- Ranked third on the team in assists (18) and sixth in points (21).
- Named assistant captain for Central Illinois in 2017-18.
PREP AND PERSONAL
- Played for the Chicago Young Americans U16 and U18 teams from 2012-14, competing in 52 games and recording 26 points (6-20-26).
- Was third on the team in points in 2012-13, tallying 16 on 4 goals and 12 assists.
- Led defensemen in points in 2013-14 with 10 (2-8-10).
— ND —
Katherine Harvath is in the midst of a summer internship with the Athletic Communications branch of Fighting Irish Media. She is a 2018 graduate of Bowling Green State University, where she studied sport management.