Former Irish hockey star Brock Sheehan will return to the Notre Dame bench as co-head coach.
A 2008 graduate of Notre Dame, Sheehan is returning to his alma mater after a decade in various coaching roles at the junior, collegiate, and professional levels.
“We are very excited to welcome Brock back to the Irish hockey family,” Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson said in a statement. “He has developed into a phenomenal coach over the past several years and has become a rising star in our profession. Brock is a perfect fit for our staff, which was evident when he first started coaching here 10 years ago. For me, it’s also great to welcome back a graduate who played for my team.” First at Notre Dame.”
Sheehan added, “When Coach Jackson first approached me with the possibility of returning to Notre Dame and being a member of this great team, it was an opportunity my family and I had dreamed of — a chance to go home.” “The University of Notre Dame is a place like no other and I feel uniquely equipped to help the program move forward. My experiences at the highest level of junior hockey with (USHL’s) Chicago Steel, and then professionally with (AHL’s) Chicago Wolves, will help me develop our student athletes to their fullest potential.” As much as possible on and off the ice.”
Sheehan most recently served as the head coach of the Wolves in 2022-23. In one season with the team, he led the AHL’s Carolina Hurricanes to a 35-29-5 record in the regular season.
“I want to thank the Carolina Hurricanes for the opportunity to become a head coach at the AHL level last season,” said Sheehan. “It was a great experience and a year that helped me improve as a coach in all areas.”
Prior to his stint with the Wolves, Sheehan spent four seasons with Steel, winning the Anderson Cup twice, awarded to league regular season champions (2019-20 and 2020-21), as well as winning the 2021 Clark Cup play-off championship. Assuming a head coach role midway through the 2019-20 season 20, Sheahan posted a 100-27-12-3 regular season record at the helm of the Steel while adding an 8-3 record going into the playoffs.
Sheahan also has experience coaching at the collegiate level, having spent four seasons at Holy Cross following a year as a volunteer assistant for the Irish (2013-14).
A fullback for the Irish from 2004 to 2008, Sheehan was a sophomore during Jackson’s inaugural season behind the bench at Notre Dame. He appeared in 161 games during his collegiate career and scored 33 points on four goals and 29 assists. Serving as an alternate captain his senior year, Sheahan was named the winner of the William Donald Nyrop Award, presented annually to the team’s top defenceman.
“As an Irish alumnus, I’m passionate about Notre Dame hockey,” said Sheehan. “I can’t wait to start building relationships with our young people and helping them get better every day.”
Sheahan will join the Irish on July 1.