 The team opened the university's new 5,000-seat Compton Family Ice Arena on October 21, 2011 against Rensselaer.Following the move into the new arena the Irish improved to a 7–3 home record in the new facility that included wins over future Hockey East rivals, Boston University, ranked 3th in the NCAA, Boston College, ranked 4th, and 8th ranked Western Michigan.On January 4, 2012, former coach and long-time Notre Dame Athletic Department employee, Charles "Lefty" Smith died.