Tuesday and Wednesday will mark the achievement of a lifelong dream for many young hockey players. That dream is to be drafted by the NHL. This year’s draft could feature two Notre Dame freshman forwards. Landon Slaggert and Ryder Rolston are ranked 88th and 102nd, respectively, in the final North American Prospect Rankings.
Though neither player has appeared in a game for the Irish yet, hockey is rich in both of their families. Slaggert continues a Notre Dame tradition in his family, as his brother, Graham, is entering his junior season with the Irish, and his father, Andy, is an associate head coach who is in his 28th season with the program. Rolston’s father, Brian, began his 17-year NHL career by winning the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, which came after winning the 1992 national championship with Lake Superior State under Jeff Jackson.
Six drafted players currently are on Notre Dame’s roster. The all-time drafted player total for the Irish is 85. At least one current or former Irish player has been selected in the draft every year since 2004.