With Notre Dame’s 2020-21 season going on as scheduled, the time has come to name the captains. Coach Jeff Jackson announced that decision Tuesday. Junior defenseman Nate Clurman will wear the coveted “C”. He’ll be joined by a trio of senior alternate captains: Matt Hellickson, Pierce Crawford and Colin Theisen.
Jackson said the following in explaining the decision to name these particular players captains, all of whom are doing so for the first time with the Irish:
“During these unusual times, our captains and leadership group will be challenged in many different ways. I am confident that our team has selected the right individuals to lead us through any adversity we may encounter. These young men are ready for the challenge and will hold our team accountable to our standards and our culture.”
Clurman, who was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2016, is the Irish’s second junior defenseman to be named captain in the past three seasons, joining Andrew Peeke in 2018-19. He earned Academic All-Big Ten honors last season and recorded nine of his 12 career assists. He also had a +8 rating, which ranked second on the Irish behind Cam Morrison.