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Great Lakes Invitational
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
.svg) | |
| Sport | College ice hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | John MacInnes, Jack Paterson, Jack Tompkins |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Venues | Van Andel Arena (2022–Present) Yost Ice Arena/Munn Ice Arena (2021) Little Caesars Arena (2018–2019) Joe Louis Arena (1979–2012, 2014–2016) Comerica Park (2013) Olympia Stadium (1965–1978) |
| Most recent champion | Michigan State |
| Most titles | Michigan (17) |
| Broadcaster | Fox Sports Detroit |
The Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) is a four-team National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's ice hockey tournament held annually at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, around the New Year's holiday. It was previously held in Detroit as part of College Hockey in the D.
The tournament was born out of a conversation between the general manager of Olympia Stadium, Lincoln Cavalieri, Michigan Tech's long-time coach, John MacInnes, and Detroit Red Wings scout Jack Paterson. The three men were discussing the lack of American-born players in the National Hockey League (NHL) and concluded that a prestigious collegiate tournament could make a difference by promoting interest in hockey among young athletes, as well as the general public. Jack Tompkins, American Airlines vice president, former University of Michigan goalie, and a member of the Detroit Red Wings organization, championed their vision as well, and together in 1965, they founded the Great Lakes Invitational hockey tournament.
The GLI has grown into one of the premier college and holiday sporting events in the country,[citation needed] originating at Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Michigan Tech, the host for the tournament since its inception, added Michigan as a co-host in 1976.[citation needed] The tournament moved into Joe Louis Arena when the Red Wings' new home arena opened in December 1979. In 2017, with the closure of the Joe, the GLI relocated to the new Little Caesars Arena until the 2020–21 season.[1]
Michigan State is traditionally selected as a third participant while the fourth is a different team each season. Northern Michigan was scheduled to be the 2020-21 invitee, but the tournament was cancelled.
The 2013 edition of the invitational was held outdoors at Comerica Park, as part of festivities for the 2014 NHL Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium. Western Michigan defeated Michigan Tech 1–0 in overtime.[2] The outdoor games were originally scheduled for 2012. However, due to the NHL lockout, the Winter Classic and all associated festivities were postponed to 2013–14.[3][4]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Lakes Invitational was not held in 2020, marking the first year the tournament has not been played since its inception. In 2021, instead of the usual "tournament" format, there was a "showcase" scheduled with four set games (UM-MTU, MSU-WMU, UM-WMU, and MSU-MTU). On December 27, 2021, Michigan cited player health concerns and backed out of the December 30 game against Western Michigan, COVID-19 was not cited as a reason. However, Michigan played their first scheduled game of the tournament vs. Michigan Tech on December 29.[5]
On June 8, 2022, the tournament field for the 2022 tournament was announced. Ferris State, Michigan State, Michigan Tech, and Western Michigan competed at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. This marks the first year Michigan has not played since 1973.[6][7]
Future GLIs to be held in Grand Rapids include Michigan Tech and Michigan State each year as host schools. 2026 features Western Michigan and Lindenwood and 2027 features Ferris State and Penn State.
Yearly results
[edit]Team records
[edit]| Team | Titles | Runner-up | Third place | Fourth place | Years participated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 17 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 50 |
| Michigan State | 14 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 51 |
| Michigan Tech | 12 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 59 |
| Western Michigan | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| North Dakota | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Lake Superior State | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Colorado College | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Boston University | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Boston College | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Harvard | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Notre Dame | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Bowling Green | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Toronto | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rensselaer | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Northern Michigan | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Ferris State | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| Maine | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ohio State | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Brown | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Alaska | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Colgate | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Dartmouth | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Providence | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Penn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Western Ontario | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Miami | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Cornell | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Princeton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| St. Lawrence | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Yale | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Gallery
[edit]-
Michigan State and Northern Michigan before the 2015 consolation game -
Michigan Tech and Michigan before the 2015 championship game -
A face-off during the 2015 championship game -
Michigan with the MacInnes Cup after winning the 2015 GLI -
Michigan posing with the GLI banner after winning the 2015 tournament
References
[edit]- ^ "GLI gets extension; UM-MSU at LCA on Feb. 10". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- ^ "WMU hockey wins Great Lakes Invitational with gritty 1-0 win over Michigan Tech at Comerica Park". MLive. December 29, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "College hockey's Great Lakes Invitational moved from Comerica Park to Joe Louis Arena". Live. November 3, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ Doyle, T. J. (October 4, 2012). "NHL Lockout could alter plans for 2012 GLI". SB Nation Detroit. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "Michigan cancels GLI game with Western Michigan due to 'health and welfare protocols within the Wolverines' program'". USCHO.com. December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Michigan Tech hosting 56th GLI in Grand Rapids". Michigan Tech Athletics. June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Silva, Richard (June 8, 2022). "Great Lakes Invitational moves to Grand Rapids; Michigan hockey not in field". The Detroit News. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
Great Lakes Invitational
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview
Tournament format
The Great Lakes Invitational employs a standard single-elimination bracket format involving four National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's ice hockey teams. On the first day, two semifinal games are played, with the winners advancing to the championship game and the losers competing in a consolation game on the second day. This structure ensures each participating team plays exactly two games over the course of the event.[6] Games follow NCAA rules, with regulation consisting of three 20-minute periods. In the event of a tie after regulation, teams proceed to a five-minute sudden-death overtime period played 3-on-3, during which the first goal ends the game. If still tied, a best-of-three shootout determines the winner, with each team selecting three shooters.[7] The tournament champion is awarded the MacInnes Cup, named after John MacInnes, the longtime Michigan Tech hockey coach who helped establish the event. The entire tournament typically spans 48 hours, scheduled around the Christmas or New Year's holidays, allowing teams to compete in a compact holiday showcase without extending into the new year.[8] An exception occurred in 2021 due to COVID-19 scheduling constraints, when the event shifted to a non-bracketed showcase format featuring four predetermined games across two days—Michigan vs. Michigan Tech, Michigan State vs. Western Michigan, Michigan vs. Western Michigan, and Michigan State vs. Michigan Tech—rather than semifinals and finals. While the core format has remained consistent since its inception, minor adjustments have been made over time in response to logistical factors such as venue changes.[9]Venue and scheduling
The Great Lakes Invitational began at Detroit's Olympia Stadium from 1965 to 1978, where Michigan Technological University served as the inaugural host.[1] In 1979, the tournament relocated to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, serving as its primary venue through 2012 and again from 2014 to 2016, accommodating large crowds with a capacity of over 19,000.[10] A notable exception occurred in 2013, when the event was held outdoors at Comerica Park in Detroit as part of the NHL's Winter Classic festivities.[11] From 2017 to 2019, it shifted to the newly opened Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, which has a hockey capacity of approximately 19,515.[12] In 2022, the tournament moved to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Following the 2022 event, a multi-year agreement was extended through 2026, with the arena's capacity set at 12,219 for hockey events.[1][2] The event is traditionally scheduled over two days in late December, typically December 28–29 or 29–30, to align with the holiday period following Christmas.[13] Adjustments occur based on calendar conflicts, such as in 2017 when it was postponed to January 1–2 at Little Caesars Arena due to arena scheduling issues with the Detroit Red Wings.[14] No tournament was held in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2021 edition deviated as a non-traditional showcase split across multiple venues rather than a centralized event.[1] Michigan Technological University has hosted the tournament since its founding in 1965, with the University of Michigan joining as a co-host in 1976 to help manage logistics and promotion.[10] Recent agreements for the Van Andel Arena era have involved additional partners, including Michigan State University, to sustain the event's regional appeal.[15] The tournament's attendance has been a hallmark of its success, surpassing one million total fans by 1999 across its first 34 editions, driven by its status as a premier holiday college hockey event.[1]History
Founding and early years
The Great Lakes Invitational was founded in 1965 by Michigan Technological University hockey coach John J. MacInnes, Olympia Stadium general manager Lincoln Cavalieri, Detroit Red Wings executive Jack Paterson, and American Airlines vice president Jack Tompkins, who sought to create a four-team collegiate holiday tournament to promote interest in ice hockey and develop American-born talent for the NHL.[10][1] Hosted by Michigan Tech, the event aimed to showcase competitive college hockey during the winter break, drawing fans to fill the gap left by paused regular-season play and fostering regional enthusiasm for the sport in the Great Lakes area.[16] The inaugural tournament occurred December 21–22, 1965, at Detroit's Olympia Stadium, featuring Michigan Tech, Boston University, the University of Toronto, and Colorado College as participants.[17] In the semifinals, Michigan Tech defeated Boston University 4–2, while Toronto beat Colorado College 6–2; Toronto then claimed the first championship with a 6–2 victory over Michigan Tech in the final.[16][18] This format of two semifinal games followed by a championship match became the standard, emphasizing high-stakes holiday matchups. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the tournament grew in prominence by inviting a rotating selection of strong programs, including North Dakota, New Hampshire, and Harvard, which helped elevate its status as a premier college hockey event.[1] Michigan Tech secured its first title in 1968 and dominated later in the decade with championships in 1970, 1971, and 1974–1978, underscoring the host's early success under MacInnes.[16] A significant milestone came in 1976 when the University of Michigan joined as co-host, broadening the event's organizational base and regional appeal.[10] Early challenges included limited national visibility without widespread broadcasting, though the Detroit venue ensured solid local attendance and steady growth in fan interest.[1]Relocations and format changes
The Great Lakes Invitational underwent its first major relocation in 1979, shifting from Detroit's Olympia Stadium to the newly constructed Joe Louis Arena, which offered an increased hockey capacity of approximately 19,000 seats compared to Olympia's roughly 13,000, thereby boosting the tournament's national visibility and ability to draw larger crowds.[19][20] This move coincided with the University of Michigan's role as co-host, established in 1976 alongside Michigan Tech, enhancing the event's prominence in a major hockey market.[10] Following the closure of Joe Louis Arena after the 2016-17 NHL season, the tournament transitioned to Little Caesars Arena for its 54th edition, held January 1-2, 2018, to accommodate scheduling conflicts with the new venue's inaugural events; this shift preserved the Detroit hosting tradition while providing access to state-of-the-art facilities with a similar 20,000-seat capacity for hockey.[14][21][22] In 2022, amid declining attendance and waning interest during the later Detroit years at Little Caesars Arena—which had forced a campus-based showcase in 2021—the GLI relocated to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, forging a new partnership that revitalized the event; a successful debut led to a four-year extension announced in 2023, securing the venue through 2026.[6][1][23] Format evolutions have included the occasional addition of a third-place (consolation) game alongside the semifinals and championship, providing an extra matchup in select years to maximize participation; the 2021 edition, impacted by COVID-19 protocols, deviated to a non-competitive showcase format with four predetermined games split across the University of Michigan's Yost Ice Arena and Michigan State's Munn Ice Arena, altering team invitations to prioritize regional accessibility over traditional selection.[9][13] Attendance trends reflect the relocations' impacts: the Detroit era at Joe Louis saw peaks, including a single-game record of 17,462 in 1979 and cumulative totals surpassing 1 million by 1999, underscoring the tournament's holiday draw; however, figures waned in the 2010s at Little Caesars, contributing to the move, while Van Andel's 10,800-seat setup has prompted adjustments but garnered positive feedback through renewed regional engagement.[20][1][6][24]Participating teams
Core teams
The Great Lakes Invitational's core teams consist of perennial participants that have anchored the tournament since its early years, providing stability and regional rivalry to the event. These teams are primarily from Michigan and represent longstanding commitments to the competition, with Michigan Tech serving as the foundational host.[1] Michigan Tech Huskies have been the perpetual host since the tournament's inception in 1965, founded by legendary coach John MacInnes in collaboration with Olympia Stadium's general manager Lincoln Cavalieri to create a holiday showcase for college hockey.[10] As hosts, the Huskies play a central role in organizing the event, including issuing invitations to other teams, and have competed in every edition, securing 12 championships overall.[25] Michigan State Spartans have been a regular participant since the tournament's founding, establishing themselves as a fixture with 49 appearances and 13 titles, the most in GLI history as of 2024.[26][27] Their involvement fosters intense rivalry dynamics, particularly with in-state programs, contributing to the tournament's enduring appeal among fans.[28] Core team selection prioritizes NCAA Division I men's ice hockey programs from the Great Lakes region, ensuring geographic relevance and competitive balance while maintaining the event's focus on Midwest collegiate talent.[2] These teams' consistent involvement has collectively produced the majority of the tournament's championship wins, shaping its legacy as a premier holiday tradition.[25] The University of Michigan served as a co-host from 1976 until its exclusion starting in 2022.[1][29]Invited teams and selection
The Great Lakes Invitational is structured as a four-team tournament, with Michigan Technological University serving as the perennial host and Michigan State University participating annually as a core invitee. The remaining two teams are selected through an invitation process managed by Michigan Tech, ensuring a balanced field for the event held during the holiday season. This approach allows flexibility in assembling competitive matchups while prioritizing logistical feasibility.[4][25] Notable invited teams have included regional programs such as Western Michigan University in 2022 and Northern Michigan University in both 2023 and 2024, alongside Ferris State University, which has made multiple appearances including in 2014, 2019, 2022, 2023, and the upcoming 2025 edition. Earlier examples feature Ohio State University, which competed in a GLI tournament in the 1970s, contributing to the event's tradition of Midwest rivalries. Out-of-region invitations have been rare, with Boston College participating in 2011 as one of the few exceptions from the Northeast.[30][31][32][16][33][10] Following the tournament's relocation to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids in 2022 and the decision to exclude the University of Michigan from the field onward, invitations have trended toward in-state and nearby programs to enhance accessibility and fan engagement. The 2025 field exemplifies this, featuring Ferris State University and Miami University of Ohio as invitees, with Miami making its debut appearance. This focus on regional teams has strengthened intrastate competitions, such as those involving Michigan schools, thereby boosting attendance and local interest in the event.[29][11][25][34][35]Results and records
Yearly champions
The Great Lakes Invitational has featured competitive finals since its founding in 1965, with Michigan-based teams dominating the majority of titles. Michigan holds the record with 17 championships, followed by Michigan State with 13 and Michigan Tech with 12 as of 2024. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and modified as a showcase in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no single champion declared in the latter year. The following table summarizes the yearly champions and runner-ups, drawn from official records.[36][16][37]| Year | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Toronto | Michigan Tech |
| 1966 | Michigan | Michigan State |
| 1967 | North Dakota | Michigan Tech |
| 1968 | Michigan Tech | Wisconsin |
| 1969 | New Hampshire | Michigan State |
| 1970 | Michigan Tech | Michigan |
| 1971 | Michigan Tech | Michigan State |
| 1972 | Harvard | Michigan Tech |
| 1973 | Michigan State | Michigan Tech |
| 1974 | Michigan Tech | Michigan |
| 1975 | Michigan | Michigan Tech |
| 1976 | Michigan Tech | Michigan |
| 1977 | Michigan Tech | Michigan |
| 1978 | Michigan Tech | Ohio State |
| 1979 | Michigan Tech | Notre Dame |
| 1980 | Michigan Tech | Michigan |
| 1981 | Notre Dame | Michigan Tech |
| 1982 | Michigan State | Michigan Tech |
| 1983 | Michigan State | Michigan Tech |
| 1984 | Michigan State | RPI |
| 1985 | Michigan State | Michigan Tech |
| 1986 | Western Michigan | Michigan |
| 1987 | Wisconsin | Michigan State |
| 1988 | Michigan | North Dakota |
| 1989 | Michigan | Maine |
| 1990 | Michigan | Michigan Tech |
| 1991 | Michigan | Michigan State |
| 1992 | Michigan | Northern Michigan |
| 1993 | Michigan | Michigan State |
| 1994 | Michigan | Michigan State |
| 1995 | Michigan | Lake Superior State |
| 1996 | Michigan State | Michigan |
| 1997 | Michigan State | Michigan |
| 1998 | Michigan State | Michigan |
| 1999 | Michigan State | Michigan Tech |
| 2000 | Michigan State | Michigan Tech |
| 2001 | North Dakota | Michigan State |
| 2002 | Boston University | Michigan |
| 2003 | Boston College | Michigan State |
| 2004 | Michigan State | Colorado College |
| 2005 | Colorado College | Michigan State |
| 2006 | Michigan State | Michigan |
| 2007 | Michigan | Michigan Tech |
| 2008 | Michigan | Michigan State |
| 2009 | Michigan State | RPI |
| 2010 | Michigan | Colorado College |
| 2011 | Michigan | Michigan State |
| 2012 | Michigan Tech | Western Michigan |
| 2013 | Western Michigan | Michigan Tech |
| 2014 | Michigan | Michigan State |
| 2015 | Michigan | Western Michigan |
| 2016 | Western Michigan | Michigan Tech |
| 2017 | Bowling Green | Michigan Tech |
| 2018 | Lake Superior State | Michigan Tech |
| 2019 | Michigan Tech | Michigan |
| 2020 | Canceled | - |
| 2021 | No champion (showcase) | - |
| 2022 | Western Michigan | Ferris State |
| 2023 | Michigan Tech | Michigan State |
| 2024 | Michigan State | Western Michigan |
| 2025 | Tournament pending | - |
All-time team statistics
The Great Lakes Invitational has seen strong performances from its core Michigan-based teams since its inception in 1965, with overall records reflecting frequent participation and competitive balance among the top programs. As of the conclusion of the 2024 tournament, Michigan holds the most championships with 17, followed by Michigan State with 13 and Michigan Tech with 12. Western Michigan has secured 4 titles, while North Dakota has 2; the remaining 15 championships have been won by a single team each, including Boston College, Boston University, Bowling Green, Colorado College, Harvard, Lake Superior State, New Hampshire, Notre Dame, Toronto, and Wisconsin.[16][27][38]| Team | Championships |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 17 |
| Michigan State | 13 |
| Michigan Tech | 12 |
| Western Michigan | 4 |
| North Dakota | 2 |
| Other teams (15) | 1 each |
| Team | Wins-Losses-Ties | Winning Percentage (approx.) | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 60-38-2 | .612 | 100 |
| Michigan State | 52-41-5 | .552 | 98 |
| Michigan Tech | 51-62-3 | .452 | 116 |
| Western Michigan | 9-4-1 | .677 | 14 |