The Big Ten is one of the best conferences in every sport, and for hockey this season, it might be the deepest. But which team is being overlooked and should be given more respect
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish finished dead last in the Big Ten, but I believe that heading into the 2026-27 season, they’re beyond underrated. But why?
The Irish brought back a lot of talent, including captain Danny Nelson, who was expected to turn pro and join the New York Islanders organization, but because his third and youngest brother, Sammy, is joining the program this year, he stayed in college hockey for one more year.
Sammy himself is a great addition; he’s a projected lottery pick in the 2027 draft and was a very good player with the U.S. NTDP. With the program losing so many players, Nelson also hit the road to join his brothers Danny and Henry.
Compared to most teams this season, Notre Dame didn’t load up on freshmen; instead, they got active in the transfer portal.
It starts with Hagen Burrows, an NCAA champion with the Denver Pioneers last season; defenseman Leo Gruba from Minnesota; Michael Quinn from Miami (Ohio); David Klee from North Dakota; and this is a year old, but Michigan transfer Evan Werner is heading into his second season with the Irish.
These new faces allow Notre Dame to slot players into better roles; a player like William Belle will really gain from this. Although he will lose some ice time, if Belle is given a role to play his game, that gives the Irish a human wrecking ball who will make opponents terrified to play against them.
Arguably the biggest X-factor for this team is goaltender Nicholas Kempf. A talented goalie who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 draft by the Washington Capitals, if the team tightens up in front of him and Kempf sees some success, it’ll completely change the team's trajectory.
Yes, the Irish were dead last in the 2026-27 season, and no, I don’t expect them to be a national title contender, but with the roster they have, they’ll be in the mix for the top end of the conference thanks to the transfer portal, returning players, and a much deeper team than last season.
