Teddy Ruth Class: Freshman Hometown: Naperville, IL Height / Weight: 6-0 / 201 Position: Defenseman Birthdate: 02/14/1989 Last Team: U.S. National Under-18 Team

Joins the Irish after spending the past two seasons with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program based in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he was a teammate of current Notre Dame teammates Ian Cole and Brad Phillips ... stay-at-home defenseman who moves the puck well in his zone ... has a strong shot from the point that gets through to the net ... enjoys playing the physical game and does not shy away from contact ... strong one-on-one player ... character player who is strong in front of the net and in the corners ... played in 39 games for the Under-18 team in 2006-07 with five goals and 11 assists for 16 points ... had 64 minutes in penalties ... three of his five goals came on the power play and one was a game winner ... served as alternate captain for the U.S. Under-18 team ... was the highest ranked Notre Dame player by Central Scouting prior to the 2007 NHL Entry Draft ... was ranked 32nd among 210 North American skaters and the 11th-best North American defenseman ... was chosen in the second round, 46th overall by the Washington Capitals ... attended the U.S. Junior National Evaluation Camp along with current Irish freshmen Ian Cole and Ben Ryan in August of 2007 ... played for the U.S. Under-17 team in 2005-06, getting three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 66 games ... was selected as the most outstanding defenseman at the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament ... advanced to the U.S. program after playing for the Chicago Mission Midget major program and Team Illinos ... one of five Illinois natives on the Notre Dame roster joining Brian D'Arcy (Western Springs), Dan Kissel (Stream-wood), Tom O'Brien (Mokena) and Dan VeNard (Vernon Hills) ... one of five former USNTDP alums on the Irish roster and one of 19 USNTDP alums to play hockey at Notre Dame ... one of seven players to sign in the early-signing period (Nov. of `06) along with Cole, Robin Bergman, Billy Maday (deferred to `08), Phillips, Calle Ridderwall and Ryan.

PREP & PERSONAL: Graduated from Huron High School in Ann Arbor, Mich. ... full name is Theodore John Ruth ... son of Richard and Barbara Ruth ... has two brothers ... born February, 14, 1989 in St. Charles, Mo. ... enrolled in First Year of Studies ... plans on majoring in business at Notre Dame.