June 23, 2018
DALLAS — Incoming Notre Dame freshmen Jake Pivonka (Woodridge, Illinois/USNTDP) and Spencer Stastney (Mequon, Wisconsin/USNTDP) were selected on day two of the 2018 NHL Draft at the American Airlines Center on Saturday (June 23).
The New York Islanders selected Pivonka, a forward, in the fourth round (103rd overall), while the Nashville Predators took Stastney in the fifth round (131st overall). Pivonka and Stastney become the 83rd and 84th members of the Notre Dame hockey program to be selected in the NHL Draft.
Each year since 2004, at least one current or future Notre Dame player has heard his name called in the draft. Additionally, 37 Irish players have been selected since head coach Jeff Jackson took over the Irish program.
Pivonka and Stastney will join senior Joe Wegwerth as well as juniors Cam Morrison and Andrew Peeke, sophomore Matt Hellickson and classmates Nate Clurman and Nick Leivermann as NHL drafted players on the 2018-19 roster.
Morrison (second round, 40th overall, 2016), Clurman (sixth round, 161st overall, 2016) and Leivermann (seventh round, 187th overall, 2017) were each selected by the Colorado Avalanche. Wegwerth was taken by the Florida Panthers (fourth round, 92nd overall), while Peeke went to the Columbus Blue Jackets (second round, 34th overall, 2016) and Hellickson was selected by the New Jersey Devils (seventh round, 214th overall, 2017).
Jake Pivonka
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.
- Father, Michal, played for the Washington Capitals of the NHL.
Spencer Stastney
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.
— ND —