Notre Dame Considering Hockey East Amidst Likely Conference Shuffle

There's a chance Hockey East could get a little more fight in the chase for the top conference crown in college hockey.

The University of Notre Dame may be making a move to Hockey East in the near future, according to the Bangor Daily News.The potential move would stem from the addition of the Big 10 conference for the 2013-14 season, as they are grabbing three teams — Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State — from Notre Dame's current conference, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

Notre Dame is a member of the Big East in every sport other than football, where they are an independent.

"I have a lot of respect for the programs and coaches in Hockey East," Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson told the Bangor Daily News. "That has been one of the premier leagues in the country over the last 15 years."

The Fighting Irish have had recent success on the ice, appearing in five of the last six NCAA tournaments, including two Frozen Four berths in the last four years.