Head coach Jeff Jackson has led the team to the tournament seven times in 11 seasons, a stretch that includes two Frozen Four appearances.
The conference has struggled to establish itself as the premier college hockey conference, however, sending just two teams to the NCAA tournament the past two seasons. Another Midwestern conference, the NCHC, has sent 10 teams to the tournament the past two seasons.
Notre Dame hockey will become the conference’s third sport-affiliate member, following the Johns Hopkins men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.
“Notre Dame hockey has a long history of competing with Big Ten programs and we’re pleased to renew those rivalries as part of conference hockey competition,” Big Ten Deputy Commissioner Brad Traviolia said in a statement. “The Big Ten continues to grow the sport of hockey in our conference and the addition of Notre Dame as a sport affiliate assists in that goal.”
The Gophers played in the WCHA for more than 60 years through the 2012-13 season alongside intrastate rivals Bemidji State, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State and St. Cloud State and regional rival North Dakota. Many fans have been unhappy with the breakup of these longtime rivalries, and attendance has sagged for postseason tournaments.
The Big Ten could continue its hockey expansion as it looks to improve its national profile. Arizona State, which will play as a Division I independent in 2016-17, could be a target for Big Ten expansion.
