Michigan State University Athletics
MSU, MTU Sign GLI Agreement
6/1/2023 11:55:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Van Andel Arena, Michigan Technological University, and Michigan State University have signed a four-year extension to the annual Great Lakes Invitational to keep the tournament in Grand Rapids. The 57th annual tournament will take place on December 28-29, 2023, and will open with Michigan Tech against Alaska and Michigan State versus Ferris State.
"We're excited to continue this great partnership with Van Andel Arena and Michigan State University," said Michigan Tech Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Suzanne Sanregret. "The GLI is one of the best college hockey tournaments in the country, and with the success of the first tournament at Van Andel Arena in 2022 we are thrilled to sign this four-year extension."
"The Great Lakes Invitational holds many great memories for me as a youth hockey player going to watch, as a collegiate player at Michigan State, and once again as a coach," said Spartan head coach Adam Nightingale. "I'm excited to see it continue and hope that it helps build similar memories for our players and the young kids who come out to watch our games over the holiday break. We are looking forward to this tournament continuing and our partnership with the groups in Grand Rapids."
Michigan State has won 12 Great Lakes Invitational titles and made the championship game on 26 occasions. MSU and Ferris State will meet in the GLI semifinals for the second straight year in 2023.
Future teams to compete in the GLI against the Huskies and Spartans are Northern Michigan and Western Michigan in 2024, Miami and Ferris State in 2025, and Western Michigan and Notre Dame in 2026.
Ticket packages will go on sale in September at VanAndelArena.com.
The Great Lakes Invitational was first played in 1965 after the idea for the tournament was conceived and implemented by Michigan Tech coach John MacInnes, Olympia Stadium General Manager Lincoln Cavalieri, and Detroit Red Wings Scout Jack Paterson. The tournament has been played at Olympia Stadium (1965-78), Joe Louis Arena (1979–2012, 2014–16), Comerica Park (2013), Little Caesars Arena (2018-19), and Van Andel Arena (2022). COVID-19 canceled the 2020 GLI and teams played a non-tournament showcase-style event in 2021.
