Reigning Stanley Cup champions the Chicago Blackhawks begin training camp in the Compton Family Ice Arena on Thursday and will host public practices Saturday and Sunday, with a special student event Friday.
Tom Nevala, general manager of the Compton Family Ice Arena, said Blackhawks' General Manager Stan Bowman, a 1995 Notre Dame alumnus, wanted to bring the team to his alma mater to build community.
"[Bowman] just happened to be in the area last February ... and suggested that they might want to come to campus for training camp if we could work that out," Nevala said. "They liked the idea of getting their guys all together to do a little team unity exercise instead of operating from their individual homes in Chicago and just coming to the United Center. They thought to spend a few days on campus with a facility like we have here would be a great way to start their next year."
Nevala said the Blackhawks would take advantage of Compton's many amenities during training camp.
"They're bringing 60 players here so you have to have the locker space for 60 guys, and I think we were able to provide that compared to what they might be used to [at the United Center]," he said. "I think the opportunity to use both rinks [will be helpful] ... Maybe they're going to run practice on one side and the scrimmages that they've been advertising in the main arena."
During training camp, the Blackhawks will split up into three different teams and play two scrimmages a day, he said.
The Blackhawks are also looking forward to experiencing Notre Dame's campus for a few days, Nevala said.
"I think they just like being in the campus environment, with Eddy Street [Commons] available," he said. "They're staying at the Morris Inn. I'm sure they'll probably go play golf one day and we're going to try to get them to football practice."
Blackhawks players will also attend a team dinner with the Notre Dame hockey squad Friday, Nevala said.
Nevala said it was the Blackhawks' idea to sell public tickets to Saturday and Sunday's practices, which are currently sold out. However, Notre Dame was adamant about doing something special for its students, he said.
"All along we were hoping we could do something unique for our students while [the Blackhawks] were here," he said. "We said, 'Well, how about we do a day with the students when you aren't selling tickets,' and it'll be a unique opportunity for Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students to get in and see them scrimmage if they have time during their lunch break or something. We don't want anybody skipping class, now."
Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students can attend the Blackhawks' practice for free Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. in the Compton Family Ice Arena with a valid student ID.
Nevala said he hopes the Blackhawks cap off their visit to Notre Dame by bringing the Stanley Cup to campus.
"We're hopeful that the Stanley Cup might be on campus at some point during this visit," he said. "I literally don't know how long it would be here if it's going to be here. We're hopeful it makes its second visit because Stan did bring it here in 2010. After they won the Stanley Cup that year, he used his day with the cup to bring it to campus for the Notre Dame vs. Stanford football game. We're hopeful it comes again."
Nevala said he hopes the Blackhawks decide to return again next year.
"We hope [the Blackhawks] enjoy their time in South Bend and on campus, and maybe they'll decide this is a good way to start their year again in the future," he said.
