Notre Dame, Ind. Dave Poulin, a former Notre Dame hockey standout and
co-captain and a 12-year veteran of the National Hockey League, has been
named head hockey coach at the University of Notre Dame.
 
University athletic director Dick Rosenthal and executive vice-president
Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., made the announcement, in conjunction
with incoming athletic director Mike Wadsworth.
 
Poulin, a 5-11, 190-pound center who continues to play for the NHL
Washington Capitals and will finish out the '94-'95 season with the Caps,
will be introduced at an 11;15 a.m. press conference today.
 
He replaces Ric Schafer, who resigned March 24 after eight season as irish
head hockey coach. He becomes only the third Irish hockey coach in the
modener era at Notre Dame, following lefty Smith (his coach at Notre Dame)
and Schafer.
 
Poulin, who earned four monograms while playing for the irish from 1978-79
through 1981-82, finished his Notre Dame career tied for fifth in total
goals (89), sixth in total points (196) and seventh in assists (107).  He
still holds the Notre Dame career record with 13 game-winning goals and is
tied for first with eight career hat tricks.
 
During his senior season in '81-'82, Poulin led the Irish with 29 goals and
59 points and was named Notre Dame;s MVP and to the all-Central Collegiate
Hockey Association second team.  Poulin helped lead Notre Dame to the '82
CCHA playoff championship game and to the 1981 Great Lakes Invitational
championship.
 
Poulin also set a Notre Dame record for goals as a freshman with 28 in 1978-79.
 
Following his graduation from Notre Dame, Poulin played one season with the
Rogle hockey club in Sweden before signing in February 1983 with the
Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent.
 
Currently in his 12th full NHL season and second with the Washington
Capitols, Poulin also played three-plus seasons with the Boston Bruins
(1990-93) and six-plus seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers (1983-90). His
most productive campaign was during the 1983-84 season with Philadelphia
when he posted single-season highs with 31 goals and 45 assists, ranking
second among all rookies in scoring.
 
Poulin played in his 700th career NHL game on Jan.29 and has amassed 530
career points on 205 goals and 325 assists. He played in three Stanley Cup
finals (with Boston in '90, Philadelphia in '85 and '87), reached the
conference championship six times and was twice selected (1986 and 1988) to
play in the NHL All-Star Game.
 
In 1987, Poulin won the Frank J. Selke trophy which is awarded to the
forward who best excels at the defensive aspects of the game. In 1993, he
received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy which recognizes the player who
best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a
noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.
 
Born December 17, 1958, in Mississauga, Ontario, the 36 year-old Poulin
received his marketing degree from Notre Dame in 1982. Poulin and his wife
Kim are the parents of three daughters--Lindsay, Taylor and Kylie.
 
Editors note: Great choice! A great guy! I recruited Dave to Notre Dame in
1978. He was a gem then and is now.  Tom Carroll will remain as assistant
coach. Dave will meet with restricted earnings coach, Andy Slaggert. I
expect Dave to be impressed with Andy and keep him on board as well.
 
Yet, another first, announcement of resignation and successor's press release.
This Internet is really something!
 
Richard A. Schafer
19549 Paxson Drive
South Bend, IN 46637
home 219-277-2488
office 219-631-5050