Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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44 MAY 2024 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE O nly about two weeks after finish- ing his stellar three-year career at Notre Dame, former Irish star forward Landon Slaggert enjoyed the best game of his brief NHL career March 26, with 2 assists in a 3-1 home win for his Chicago Blackhawks over the Calgary Flames. Skating in his sixth game since sign- ing a two-year, entry-level contract worth $912,000, Slaggert assisted on the 2 goals scored by Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson, the first 2 points of his professional career. Slaggert also narrowly missed scor- ing himself, twice. He fired toward an empty net on a Flames turnover in the second period but his shot was blocked by a Calgary defenseman. Then, in the third period, the rookie hit the crossbar with a shot off a clean break. His shot clanked off the pipe and straight down, landing only inches from the goal. Slaggert and the Blackhawks started to celebrate, but a video replay showed the puck didn't enter the net. "Honestly, I couldn't tell you what was going through my mind," said Slag- gert, who was drafted in the third round (79th overall) by the Blackhawks in 2020. "I thought it went in, but then I turned around, the spotlight came on. I think there was definitely some confu- sion for a second there. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer for it." Slaggert — a South Bend native whose father is a longtime Irish hockey assis- tant coach — had a contingent of family and friends in attendance for the game at the United Center. NFL NOTES Following are the former Irish players in the NFL who were involved in the active opening days of the league's free-agency period that began March 13: Drue Tranquill (LB): Re-signed by the Kansas City Chiefs to a three-year contract worth $19 million. Alohi Gilman (S): Re-signed by the Los Angeles Chargers to a two-year contract worth $11 million. Jerry Tillery (DT): Signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings worth up to $3.75 million. JJ Jansen (LS): Re-signed by the Carolina Panthers to a one-year contract worth $1.2 million. Julian Okwara (DE): Signed by the Philadelphia Eagles to a free agent contract, terms not disclosed. Scott Daly (LS): Re-signed by the Detroit Lions to a one-year free agent contract, terms not disclosed. ✦ Landon Slaggert Makes A Quick NHL Impact Slaggert — in just his sixth NHL game since signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks — tallied 2 assists in 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames March 26. PHOTO COURTESY CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS FIGHTING IRISH HEADLINERS Bonzie Colson (Played at Notre Dame from 2014-18), PF, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv (Israeli BSL) Playing his second season in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, the former Irish standout ranked second on first-place Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv in scoring with 13.3 points per game and second in rebounding with 5.6 boards per game through 36 contests. After a one-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA in 2019, the Washing- ton D.C., native has spent the last five seasons enjoying a fine overseas career with stops in Turkey, France and now Israel. Craig Counsell (1989-92), manager, Chicago Cubs (MLB) After spending nine seasons as the manager in Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers' all-time winningest skipper while there, former Irish infielder Craig Coun- sell began his first season as the new manager of the Chicago Cubs March 28. The South Bend native signed a five-year contract worth $40 million in November, making him the highest paid manager in MLB history. Counsell is charged with turn- ing around a Cubs franchise that has been to the postseason only twice since 2018. T.J. Gibbs (2016-20), PG, AD Galomar (Portugese LPB) Playing his first season in Portugal after a brief stint in Slovenia, the former Irish point guard ranked sixth on his team in scoring (11.8 points per outing), and third in both assists (1.7) and steals (1.5) through 36 games. The Scotch Plains, N.J., native has found a nice niche with AD Galomar, a member of the premier professional basketball league in Portugal in the city of Canico on the island of Madeira.