Michigan State makes four-year commitment to Great Lakes Invitational hockey tournament

The Michigan State hockey team will return to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids as one of four teams participating in the 2023 Great Lakes Invitational, which has long been one of the premier tournaments in college hockey. Michigan State and GLI-host Michigan Tech are also committed to playing in event for the next four years in partnership with Van Andel Arena, which will serve as the venue for the GLI over that four-year period.

“We are really pleased to have this four-year commitment,” Van Andel Arena general manager Richard MacKeigan said at a press conference in Grand Rapids on Thursday. “This is going to allow fans to make plans. They know when their teams are playing and where their teams are playing, and we think they are going to have one of the best collegiate experiences regardless of sport, for fans and athletes.”

Michigan State and Michigan Tech have combined for 23 GLI championships, with the Spartans claiming 12 titles in 48 tournament appearances and the Huskies winning 11 titles in 56 tries.

“I really believe that it is the crown jewel of college tournaments,” said Michigan State hockey coach Adam Nightingale. “We have such a strong alumni presence in West side of the state, and this gives us a chance to be in front of our alumni. It is something that means a lot to our guys and to our university.”

The 2023 GLI will be played on December 28 and 29. The first-day doubleheader starts with Michigan Tech playing Ferris State and concludes with Michigan State playing Alaska. The winners of those two games will play for the tournament championship the following day. Losing teams face off in the consolation game.

Tickets the 2023 GLI will be made available through participating universities as early as September. Shortly thereafter tickets will go on sale to the public.

With a top-notch professional hockey facility in Van Andel serving as the GLI venue, and long-term commitments from Michigan State and Michigan Tech, event organizers believe that the tournament can regain its past luster when the GLI was played on the home ice of the Detroit Red Wings, first at Olympia Stadium, then at Joe Louis Arena, and next at Little Caesar’s Arena.

Cancelled in 2020 because of Covid-19 and played with a three-team field the following year after Michigan pulled out of the event due to health concerns, The GLI understandably suffered loss in visibility. Tournament visibility, however, should be less of a hurdle moving forward with a stable home in Grand Rapids, and a solid group of teams committed to play in the event for the next four years.

“This is the single most important event for Michigan Tech hockey and is synonymous with Michigan Tech hockey,” Michigan Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. “It could have gone away many times throughout the years, but it is the most prestigious tournament in college hockey. It originated with a vision back in the 1960’s by legendary coach John MacIness … He set up a tournament over Christmas break that would invite the top teams in college hockey to play at a time that could best promote college hockey.”

After 50 plus years being played in Detroit, The GLI made its debut in Grand Rapids at the Van Andel Arena in 2022 with a field that included Michigan State, Michigan Tech, Ferris State, and event winner Western Michigan.

“West Michigan is a great hockey community, and that is undisputed,” MacKeigan said.  “Last December that was evidenced by great fans enjoying great hockey, spectacular games … moving this tournament took a lot of work … and change takes courage, which is often rewarded. We look forward to sharing the rewards.”

It took little courage for Michigan State to make a four-year commitment to the GLI. And for his part, Nightingale is thrilled to see the Spartans affiliated with a college hockey institution. Nightingale has fond memories of watching the GLI as a fan during his youth, and later participating in the event during his playing days at Michigan State under Ron Mason.

“What an honor and privilege that Michigan Tech has included us in this tournament,” Nightingale said. “There are a lot of teams dying to get into this tournament and I think it is really important for this game of college hockey. What a rich tradition, and the city of Grand Rapids, a beautiful city, a hockey town. Van Andel is one of the premier hockey facilities in North America. For our guys to come and play in this facility is a big-time opportunity.”  

Michigan State last won the GLI in 2009, something Nightingale is eager to remedy as soon possible.

“I got to play in it with my younger brother when we were at Michigan State, and we ended up winning it,” Nightingale said. “That is one of my best memories with my brother playing at The Joe in the GLI … Now to get a chance to represent our university as coach of the program is something we are super thankful for.

“We have won it 12 times, and we want to win it again. We think it sets us up to have a great second half of the season. It gives us a target to kick off the second half.”  

Michigan State, Michigan Tech, Ferris State, and Alaska Fairbanks will comprise the GLI field in 2023. Western Michigan and Northern Michigan will join Michigan State Tech and Michigan State at the 2024 GLI. Miami University and Ferris State will comprise one half of the field in 2025, with Notre Dame and Western Michigan committed to play in the 2026 GLI.