Ferris State Hockey Chosen To Compete In Great Lakes Invitational At Van Andel Arena
Grand Rapids, Mich. – For the second consecutive year, the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team has been chosen to compete in the nation's oldest college hockey tournament as the Bulldogs will head back to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids in late December for the 57th annual Great Lakes Invitational (GLI).
Ferris State was announced as part of this year's 2023 field along with hosts Michigan Tech and Michigan State in addition to Alaska. The event will be played for the second-straight year at Van Andel Arena, which is the home of the Detroit Red Wings' top affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. This year's tournament takes place Dec. 28-29 with the Bulldogs slated to face Michigan State in the opening day of the event. Official game times and additional information will be announced soon.
Additionally, the Bulldogs were also among the teams chosen to compete in the GLI in 2025.
"We're thrilled to be invited back to the GLI and have another opportunity to compete in front of our alumni, fans and friends right here in West Michigan," said FSU head coach Bob Daniels. "It was an outstanding event in Grand Rapids this past year and we had great support from our fans and alumni. We look forward to helping this tournament continue to grow at Van Andel Arena and having all the Bulldog fans come out for this holiday tournament."
Van Andel Arena, Michigan Technological University, and Michigan State University announced Thursday 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."
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.
"Van Andel Arena is excited to host the Great Lakes Invitational tournament for the next four years," said ASM Global Regional General Manager for Van Andel Arena, Richard MacKeigan. "We hope to build on the success of last year's event to create an annual tradition for the Grand Rapids community and hockey fans from all over the state and the country."
Michigan Tech has won the GLI 11 times in 56 tournaments, taking home the MacInnes Cup most recently in 2019. Michigan State has 12 GLI titles in 48 tournaments. Ferris State will be making its fourth appearance at the tournament and was the runner-up in 2022 for the first time in program history. Alaska will play in its first GLI in 2023.
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.
Future GLI Teams:
2023: Michigan Tech, Michigan State, Ferris State, Alaska
2024: Michigan Tech, Michigan State, Northern Michigan, Western Michigan
2025: Michigan Tech, Michigan State, Miami, Ferris State
2026: Michigan Tech, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Notre Dame