Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 16, 2019 51 IRISH IN THE PROS BY ANDREW MENTOCK F ormer Notre Dame right wing Kyle Palmieri is in the midst of his fifth year with the New Jersey Devils and 10th overall in the NHL, and he's still tearing it up on the ice. Through 13 games, he already had 10 points (six goals and four assists). This includes a hat trick early in the season against the Tampa Bay Light- ning in a 7-6 overtime loss Oct. 30. Yet where Palmieri might be mak- ing the biggest impact is away from hockey. Since 2016, he has run a non-profit organization that's now called the Kyle Palmieri Foundation, per Elite Sports N.Y. Its goal is to help and give back to American soldiers who "put their lives on the line to pre- serve our freedoms." The military recognition program was previously called Squad21. This cause is likely near and dear to Palmieri. His sister and brother- in-law are honorably serving in the National Guard and U.S. Army. IRISH IN THE NHL Through Nov. 6 • Anders Bjork (Played at Notre Dame from 2014-17), LW, Boston Bruins: Saw action in seven of the team's first 15 games of the season and contributed two goals. • Ian Cole (2007-10), D, Colorado Avalanche: Has played in 11 of Colorado's 15 contests and has six assists. • Vinnie Hinostroza (2013-15), C, Arizona Coy- otes: Has played in all 15 of the Coyotes games this season … Has one goal scored and added two assists. • Anders Lee (2010-13), C, New York Islanders: Played in all 14 of the Islanders' games this season and has five goals and four assists. • Kyle Palmieri (2009-10), RW, New Jersey Dev- ils: Appeared in all 13 games for the Devils this sea- son … Has six goals and four assists on the season. • Bryan Rust (2010-14), RW, Pittsburgh Pen- guins: Saw action in four of 16 games for the Pen- guins, scoring two goals and two assists. • Riley Sheahan (2009-12), C, Edmonton Oilers: Has played in 12 of 16 games with the Oilers this season, but has yet to register a point. DRUE TRANQUILL STARS ON SPECIAL TEAMS FOR CHARGERS Nine games into his NFL career, former Notre Dame linebacker Drue Tranquill has already made a name for himself as one of league's best special teams players. Nine of the rookie's 29 total tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers have come on special teams this season, which was tied for second in the NFL behind Miles Killebrew (10) of the Detroit Lions through nine weeks. Entering week 10, Pro Football Fo- cus had a 90.6 grade on Tranquill for special teams, which based on their grading system is considered a "high- quality" player. Against the Green Bay Packers Nov. 3, Tranquill blocked a punt that helped the Chargers notch a 26-11 win. Tranquill has performed so well on special teams that he has begun to earn buzz as a possible Pro Bowler. PFF even listed him as their honor- able mention special teams player on their 2019 Midseason NFL All-Pro Team. He has also begun to see the field more for the Chargers on defense. He has played at least 33 percent of the team's defensive snaps at line- backer in games five through nine. The rookie did not register a single snap on that side of the ball in the team's first three games. ✦ Kyle Palmieri Does Good Work On and Off the Ice Palmieri, who has six goals and four assists for the New Jersey Devils through 13 games this season, runs a non-profit foundation that raises funds and gives back to active and veteran American service members. PHOTO COURTESY NEW JERSEY DEVILS NOTRE DAME IN THE NFL: WEEK NINE HIGHLIGHTS • Kyle Rudolph (Played at Notre Dame from 2008-10), TE, Minnesota Vikings: Hauled in three passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in the 6-3 Vikings' 26-23 road loss to the 6-3 Kansas City Chiefs … For the season, he has 20 receptions for 170 yards and two touchdowns. • Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings: Notched eight tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and one pass deflection in the Vikings' defeat at Kansas City … For the season, he has 53 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception. • Golden Tate (2007-09), WR, New York Giants: Was targeted six times and had six receptions for 42 yards, including a remarkable one-handed catch, in the Giants' 37-18 home loss against the Dallas Cowboys. … Has 29 catches for 322 yards and one touchdown in five games played since returning from a suspension.