The University of Notre Dame announced that it will be leaving Hockey East and joining the Big Ten as an affiliate member for hockey beginning in the 2017-18 season. Notre Dame, which takes on past and future conference foe Michigan in the Midwest Regional semifinal in Cincinnati on Friday, joined the Hockey East in 2013-14.
Notre Dame had been in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State from 1992-93 until 2012-13, but left for Hockey East after those three schools, along with Minnesota, Wisconsin and Penn State, created the Big Ten Hockey Conference.
“While we have enjoyed our affiliation with Hockey East, the opportunity to participate in Big Ten hockey is a compelling one from the perspective of our student-athletes,” said Jack Swarbrick, Notre Dame vice president and James E. Rohr director of athletics in a statement.
“The move will significantly reduce the time our team spends traveling, increase the broadcast exposure for our program and allow us to take advantage of the natural rivalries that exist with the Big Ten schools that participate in hockey.”
Michigan head coach Red Berenson told MLive.com that the move was good for the Big Ten and Notre Dame.
“I think it’s a good move for the Big Ten and I would tell you it’s probably an even better move by Notre Dame to get into the Big Ten,” he said. “You look at where they’re located and look at the footprint in the Big Ten, it’s a natural fit. They’re a good school, they’re a good program; I think the competitiveness will be right there.”
Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna made a statement following the announcement of the move.
“Hockey East has been a dominant player in college hockey since its inception in 1984. The addition of both Notre Dame and the University of Connecticut enhanced the strength and depth of the league. This weekend, Notre Dame is part of Hockey East’s six-team contingent that is looking to defend the national championship won by Providence College last April in Boston. The college hockey landscape continues to change but one certainty is that Hockey East will remain the premier conference in college hockey for years to come.”
The addition of Notre Dame will give the Big Ten seven schools playing hockey. There is one independent program playing hockey right now, Arizona State, which started play in Division I this year.
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