Ice Breaker Tournament
The annual Ice Breaker Tournament marks the traditional start to the college hockey season. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012-13, the Ice Breaker brings together four of the nation's top teams from different conferences.
This year's event was held in Kansas City, Mo., at the Sprint Center and saw Notre Dame capture the championship in front of a national television audience on NBC Sports Network.
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 (twice), Colorado College, Denver, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota, Notre Dame, St. Cloud State and Vermont.
Two of the last four champions, including Boston College last year, have gone on to win the NCAA championship later that season.
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 |
| 2012 | Kansas City Sports Commission | Sprint Center (Kansas City) | Army, Maine, Nebraska-Omaha, Notre Dame |
