Three-time monogram winner for the Irish ... big, physical defenseman who has played in 73 career games with three assists ... stay-at-home defender who gives Notre Dame a physical presence on the blue line ... will be counted on this season for his experience on a very young Irish defense ... one of just four seniors on the team and the lone senior defender ... solid puckhandler who makes smart decisions especially in the defensive zone ... does not shy away when the hitting starts ... strong in the corners and in front of the net ... has good speed for his size ... continues to improve his all-around game ... has a big shot from the point that should enable him to become more involved with the offense ... played his junior hockey with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) ... one of five Irish players on the '04-'05 roster who played for Green Bay as he is joined by sophomore defensemen Noah Babin and Wes O'Neill and freshmen Victor Oreskovich and Dan VeNard ... one of 12 current Notre Dame hockey players who played junior hockey in the USHL ... one of four Illinois natives on 2004-05 Irish roster ... list includes sophomore Michael Bartlett (Morton Grove) and freshmen Brian D'Arcy (Western Springs) and Dan VeNard (Vernon Hills) ... one of 17 hockey letterwinners from the state of Illinois ... signed his national letter-of-intent during the 2001 April signing period along with Morgan Cey, Alex Lalonde and Yan Stastny.

AS A JUNIOR: Played in 23 of Notre Dame's 39 games on the blue line ... was scoreless on the year while getting called for 12 penalties, good for 32 minutes in penalties ... had 12 shots on goal during the season ... was -3 on the year ... was paired most of the time with Chris Trick or Noah Babin ... saw action in all four of Notre Dame's five postseason games.

AS A SOPHOMORE: Played in 29 of Notre Dame's 40 games during the 2002-03 season ... recorded two assists on the year with 31 shots on goal ... sixth on the team with 21 penalties for 42 minutes ... was -1 for the year ... had big assist on Rob Globke's game-winning goal in 4-3 win over Michigan (Notre Dame's first regular-season win at Yost Arena since 1982-83) ... set-up Globke's game-winning goal in game three of CCHA first round at Miami ... slapshot from center point was blocked by the defense ... his second shot was also blocked, but slipped through to Globke who whacked it past Miami goaltender David Burleigh to give Irish a 1-0 lead in 5-0 win that propelled them to the CCHA Super Six.

AS A FRESHMAN: Played in 21 of the team's 38 games including all four postseason games ... picked up one assist for lone point of the season ... had 12 shots on goal and recorded 16 penalties for 41 minutes ... assisted on a Michael Chin power-play goal in 7-3 loss at Miami ... did not score in four postseason games.

PREP & PERSONAL: Graduated from Ashwaubenon High School in Green Bay, Wis., while playing for the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers ... helped lead Green Bay to first-place finish in USHL's Eastern Division ... had one goal and three assists for four points with 49 penalty minutes for the Gamblers ... also was selected in the first round of the North American Hockey League draft by the St. Louis Jr. Blues -- but opted for Green Bay ... attended St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Ill., while playing junior hockey in the Chicago area with Team Illinois and the Chicago Chill ... participated in two USA Hockey Select Festivals and helped Team Illinois win a U.S. National championship title ... full name is Joseph Ryan Zurenko ... son of Joseph and Beth Zurenko ... born Nov. 28, 1982, in Denver, Colo. ... finance major in the Mendoza College of Business.

Zurenko's Career Statistics

Zurenko's Career Bests

1 Point
vs. Miami (0g-1a; 3/16/03)
vs. Michigan 0g-1a; 11/23/02)
vs. Miami (0g-1a; 1/26/02)

1 Assist
vs. Miami (3/16/03)
vs. Michigan 11/23/02)
vs. Miami (1/26/02)

4 Shots on Goal
vs. Bowling Green (12/7/02)