July 11, 2012
Notre Dame, Ind. – The Notre Dame hockey team will play in its first-ever outdoor game during the program’s Division I era on Sunday, Feb. 17 when the Irish take part in the Hockey City Classic at Chicago’s historic Soldier Field. Notre Dame will tangle with Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) rival Miami University in one game while the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin play in the second part of the doubleheader.
The games will be preceded by two weeks of winter festivities, including two days of free public skating, high school hockey events, youth and adult hockey events, private ice rentals and more. The Hockey City Classic is being organized by Chicago-based sports and entertainment marketing agency Intersport, in partnership with Soldier Field and the Chicago Park District. For information, including ticket sales, breaking news and schedule information, register for updates at: www.hockeycityclassic.com or check out Facebook (www.Facebook.com/HockeyCityClassic).
Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning on October 1st through Ticketmaster.com. Prior to that, season ticket holders from the four universities and Chicago Bears’ season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase advance tickets in an exclusive presale.
Notre Dame hockey is no stranger to the city of Chicago as the Irish have played hockey in the Windy City on and off since the 1966-67 campaign when the Notre Dame club team played in the first-ever college hockey tournament at Chicago Stadium. Since then, the Irish have played more than 40 games in and around Chicago, playing at Lake Forest (1969 and 70 and from 1985-91), at Chicago Stadium (1971 and 1972), at the University of Illinois-Chicago (1979-82 and 1988-96 as CCHA rivals), at Allstate Arena (2003 and 2005) and most-recently, at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill., where Notre Dame hosted the Shillelagh Tournament from 2009-11.
The 2012-13 Notre Dame hockey roster features seven players with ties to the Chicago area:
Sam Calabrese D Sr. Park Ridge, Ill.Kevin Lind D Jr. Homer Glen, Ill.T.J. Tynan F Jr. Orland Park, Ill.Garrett Peterson F So. Manhattan, Ill.Robbie Russo D So. Westmont, Ill.Thomas DiPauli F Fr. Woodbridge, Ill.Sam Herr F Fr. Hinsdale, Ill.
All of them have seen action in the outstanding junior programs in the Chicago area. Calabrese played for Team Illinois in the Midwest Elite Hockey League. Lind played two seasons with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Tynan, Russo, DiPauli and Herr are all products of the Chicago Mission AAA program and Peterson played for Team Illinois and the Chicago Chill during his career. Many other former players have spent time during their midget or junior careers, playing in Chicago.
In the 44-year history of the Notre Dame hockey program, 25 Irish monogram winners have come from the Chicago area, a list that includes the likes of Stanley Cup champion Brett Lebda `04 (Detroit – Buffalo Grove) and 2011 national rookie of the year T.J. Tynan (Orland Park, Ill.).
Current Notre Dame junior defenseman Stephen Johns (Wampum, Pa.) was a second round choice (60th overall) of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and the Hawks have drafted five Notre Dame players since 1971.