It is named in honor of former San Jose Sharks part-owners Kevin and Gayla Compton, whose gift led funding for the project.

[5] The new ice arena is located south of the Joyce Center, just north of Edison Road, and just west of the Harris Family Track and Field facility.

[6] On February 12, 2009, the University of Notre Dame announced it would begin construction the next year on a new, freestanding, on-campus ice arena designed to meet the needs of both the nationally ranked Irish men's hockey team and the local community.

With the completion of the new arena, the ice plant was removed from the Joyce Center's north dome, making its space available for a variety of other events.

The facility is named the Charles W. "Lefty" Smith Jr. Rink, in honor of the first coach in the program's history.