Jake Evans kicks off Frozen Four with semi-final against Michigan

MONTREAL - The Frozen Four begins for Jake Evans and the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Thursday night when they square off against the University of Michigan at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN.

The winner of that national semi-final matchup will advance to Saturday's championship game against the winner of the other national semi-final between Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota Duluth.
This marks Evans' second straight appearance in the Frozen Four.
Twelve months ago, his run ended when the Fighting Irish dropped a 6-1 decision to the University of Denver in the national semi-final at the United Center in Chicago. The Pioneers then went on to claim college hockey's trop prize.
The 21-year-old centerman enters Thursday night's contest leading all players involved in the 2018 Frozen Four with 134 career points (39 goals - 95 assists) in 156 games over the last four years with Notre Dame.

This season, the Toronto native and senior captain led the squad with 31 assists and 42 points in 38 contests, helping head coach Jeff Jackson's contingent win the Big Ten regular season title, Big Ten tournament crown, and the NCAA Tournament's East Regional along the way.
Evans was selected in the seventh round, 207th overall by the Canadiens during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Frozen Four connections
Three players on the Canadiens' current roster have represented their schools in the Frozen Four over the years.
Daniel Carr played in the annual event on two occasions, winning the NCAA title in 2014 with Union College.
Carr and the Dutchmen bested Mike Reilly and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia to win the program's first championship in school history.

Captain Max Pacioretty also played in the Frozen Four in 2008 during his one and only season with the University of Michigan.