In his four year tenure at Boston College, current Rockford IceHogs defenseman of the American Hockey League, Mike Brennan, has seen it all: Four NCAA appearances, three Frozen Four trips, and most of all, a National Championship in 2007-08.

Brennan has also seen fellow catholic school rival, Notre Dame three times. In his four years, BC went 1-2 against Notre Dame; however, it was his last collegiate game that was special to him.

“We were knocking on the door two years in a row,” Brennan said about his experience in big games. “It is always special when you win a National Championship, especially with a little rivalry against Notre Dame escalating that night.

“We knew coming in [to that game] that they had a good run going. However, you had to be on your ‘A’ game and play 100%. That was a special moment.”

With both Notre Dame and BC being private catholic schools, there is a tradition for both schools to meet every year in both hockey and football.

This year is no different.

“There is a long tradition between the two private schools,” Brennan pointed out about the rivalry. “Whether it’s football, hockey, or any athletic event, both are willing to do what it takes to win. Overall it’s either team’s game.”

With his pro career starting to take shape, Brennan still talks to many of his past teammates at BC. Overall, being an Eagle is still special in Brennan’s heart.

“I still talk to a lot of the guys,” Brennan said. “It was special coming to BC and I still get a lot of updates from the current players.”

With key players such as Brennan and Nathan Gerbe, who were both instrumental to the championship run last year, the Eagles knew they had to replace them. So far, so good, as BC is off to a 5-1-0 start.

Compared to the last time BC was on the verge of repeating in 2001-02, the team has done very well, and the Eagles are still one of the favorites to get back to the Frozen Four.

Brennan mentioned that coaching is one of the main reasons why the team is always reloading instead of rebuilding.

“Coach York and the staff always do a great job moving forward,” said Brennan about the coaching staff. “They always start out fresh and play a different type of game at the beginning of the year.”

In two years, the BC-Notre Dame football rivalry will come to a close (for the time being). With The Eagles winning seven out of the last ten games against the Irish, Notre Dame will look for another opponent for the time coming.

The question is will the hockey rivalry between the two catholic schools drop as well? According to Brennan, he doesn’t think it will, and the two teams will be playing hockey for many years.

“Notre Dame is always a rivalry game,” Brennan noted. “The two teams are always competitive. I think that the rivalry will continue for years to come.”