The annual Ice Breaker Tournament marks the traditional start to the college hockey season, and this year’s event will be played on one of the biggest stages yet. The state-of-the-art Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., will host the event while NBC Sports Network will air both Friday games and Saturday’s championship live to a national audience.
Friday, Oct. 12
7 p.m. ET: Maine vs. Notre Dame
10 p.m. ET: Army vs. Nebraska-Omaha
Saturday, Oct. 13
4:30 p.m. ET: Third-Place Game
7:30 p.m. ET: Championship Game
Ice Breaker Tournament History
Tickets are available at the Sprint Center box office or by visiting ticketmaster.com.
Here are 10 big stories to watch as this year’s event unfolds:
Title track – Last year Boston College started its NCAA championship season by capturing the Ice Breaker championship at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. Chris Kreider, who went on to star in the Stanley Cup playoffs with the New York Rangers last spring, was the tournament MVP. It marked the second time in four years that an Ice Breaker winner went on to win the national title. In 2008, the Eagles’ rival – Boston University – won the Ice Breaker at their home rink before going on to win the 2009 national title.
Site survey – The Ice Breaker heads off campus for just the third time in its 16-year history with this year’s visit to Kansas City. In 2007 the event saw its largest crowds as Minnesota won the title at the Xcel Energy Center (28,995 attended the two days). Two years ago the Ice Breaker was four hours east, in St. Louis, before returning to Missouri this year. This is the first time the event has been held at an arena that isn’t home to either a college or NHL team.
Goal oriented – All four teams return their leading goal scorers from 2011-12, led by Maine’s Joey Diamond – tied as the top returning goal scorer in the country with 25 last year. Army senior Andy Starczewski had 13 goals a year ago to lead the Black Knights, while Matt White and Anders Lee led UNO and Notre Dame, respectively, with 17 goals each as sophomores.
Starting strong – Dozens of freshmen will get their first taste of college hockey at the Ice Breaker, including dynamic offensive prospects like Steven Fogarty (Notre Dame) and Devin Shore (Maine). Nebraska-Omaha has one of the top recruiting classes in the nation making its debut, led by defenseman Brian Cooper and goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Army replaces a large graduated class with several talented freshmen, including former Amarillo Bulls teammates Joe Kozlak and Luke Jenkins, plus forwards Willie Faust and Thane Heller.
Among the current NHLers who started their college hockey career in the Ice Breaker: Brooks Orpik (Boston College), Erik Cole (Clarkson), Willie Mitchell (Clarkson), Drew Miller (Michigan State), Tom Gilbert (Wisconsin), Mike Komisarek (Michigan), Brian Boyle (Boston College) and Ben Bishop (Maine).
Future stars – Maine, Nebraska-Omaha and Notre Dame combined to place 21 alums in the National Hockey League last season. In all, former college hockey players comprised more than 30% of the NHL in 2011-12. Among the best bets to play at that level from this year’s tournament are Notre Dame’s T.J. Tynan (the third ranked Columbus Blue Jackets prospect by hockeyprospectus.com), UNO sophomore Josh Archibald (who played on last year’s U.S. National Junior Team) and Maine freshman Devin Shore (a second-round pick of the Dallas Stars).
40something – Only 13 teams in college hockey return a 40-point scorer from a year ago, and three of them will be in Kansas City. Maine’s Joey Diamond leads the way after posting 47 points a year ago, a total that ranks fourth nationally among returning players. Notre Dame’s T.J. Tynan and Nebraska-Omaha’s Matt White also topped 40 points a year ago.
Show me – Two Missouri natives will have the rare opportunity to play in their home state at the Ice Breaker: Nebraska-Omaha sophomores Brian O’Rourke (St. Louis) and Dominic Zombo (Ballwin). Missouri has had a steadily growing presence in college hockey. Last season 27 Missourians were playing in Division I, up 286% from just 7 players in 2002-03. Army freshman Andrew O’Leary is in relative familiar territory in Kansas City; last year he played about an hour west, for the Topeka Road Runners of the North American Hockey League.
In the genes – Three of the teams in the Ice Breaker feature sons of former NHL players in their lineup. Nebraska-Omaha has three of them including the biggest name among the hockey dads: Hall of Famer Ed Belfour, whose son Dayn is a goaltender for the Mavericks. They also feature sophomore forwards Josh Archibald (son of Jim) and Dominic Zombo (son of Rick). Maine defensemen Nick Pryor (son of Chris) and Brice O’Connor (Bob) have NHL bloodlines, as does Army sophomore defenseman Mac Lalor (Mike).
More family ties – Friday’s first semifinal will feature two sets of brothers facing off against each other. Notre Dame’s Eric and Mike Johnson are in their second season as Fighting Irish teammates, while Maine’s Jon and Steven Swavely will suit up together with the Black Bears.
Con(ference) game – Nebraska-Omaha is one of only two schools to win the Ice Breaker from outside either the WCHA or Hockey East. The Mavericks won the event in 2009, when they hosted it and were part of the CCHA. Michigan State (1997) is the other team to win it outside of the WCHA or Hockey East.
College Hockey, Inc.’s role
Entering its third full season in operation, College Hockey, Inc. is a non-profit marketing and informational arm of NCAA Division I men’s hockey. Led by new Executive Director Mike Snee and Nate Ewell, College Hockey, Inc. promotes college hockey to potential fans and players. Holding top-notch events like the Ice Breaker help raise college hockey’s profile at an important time of year, while programs build momentum with the start of the season. College Hockey, Inc. also works at the grassroots level, hosting dozens of informational sessions each year for prospective players including a series of Reebok Collegiate Hockey Summits.