Ice Breaker Tournament
The annual Ice Breaker Tournament marks the traditional start to the college hockey season. Celebrating its 15th season in 2011-12, the Ice Breaker brings together four of the nation's top teams from different conferences.
This year's event will be held in Grand Forks, N.D., at the Ralph Engelstad Arena and will feature hosts North Dakota, Air Force, Boston College and Michigan State. Games will take place Oct. 7-8.
A terrific opportunity to put the spotlight on college hockey just as the season gets underway, the Ice Breaker also provides a tough early season test for some NCAA championship contenders. Past Ice Breaker champions include Boston University (three times), New Hampshire (twice), Boston College, Colorado College, Denver, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska-Omaha, St. Cloud State and Vermont.
The event has taken place at a mix of on- and off-campus sites, visiting top venues such as Xcel Energy Center (St. Paul), Scottrade Center (St. Louis) and Kohl Center (Madison, Wis.).
Ice Breaker Tournament History
| Year | Host | Site | Field (Champion in Boldface) |
| 1997 | University of Wisconsin | Dane County Coliseum (Madison) | BU, Clarkson, Michigan State, Wisconsin |
| 1998 | University of Minnesota | Mariucci (Minneapolis) | BC, Minnesota, Ohio State, St. Lawrence |
| 1999 | University of Denver | Magness Arena (Denver) | Denver, Notre Dame, Providence, Union |
| 2000 | University of Michigan | Yost Arena (Ann Arbor) | Colgate, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Dakota |
| 2001 | University of Maine | Alfond Arena (Orono) | Bowling Green, Clarkson, Maine, St. Cloud |
| 2002 | University of Wisconsin | Kohl Center (Madison) | BU, Northern Michigan, Rensselaer, Wisconsin |
| 2003 | Michigan State University | Munn Arena (East Lansing) | BC, Findlay, Minnesota-Duluth, Michigan State |
| 2004 | New Hampshire | Whittemore Center (Durham) | New Hampshire, Ohio St., St. Cloud, St. Lawrence |
| 2005 | Colorado College | World Arena (Colorado Springs) | Air Force, Colorado College, Maine, Union |
| 2006 | Miami University | Goggin Ice Arena (Oxford) | Colgate, Denver, Miami, Vermont |
| 2007 | University of Minnesota | Xcel Energy Center (St. Paul) | BC, Michigan, Minnesota, Rensselaer |
| 2008 | Boston University | Agganis Arena (Boston) | BU, UMass, Michigan State, North Dakota |
| 2009 | Nebraska-Omaha | Qwest Center (Omaha) | Army, UMass Lowell, Nebraska-Omaha, St. Lawrence |
| 2010 | St. Louis Sports Commission | Scottrade Center (St. Louis) | BU, Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Wisconsin |
| 2011 | University of North Dakota | Ralph Engelstad Arena (Grand Forks) | Air Force, BC, Michigan State, North Dakota |
