Thursday, February 9, 2012
GLI Heads Outdoors in 2012
The 2012 Great Lakes Invitational – an annual holiday tournament previously held at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium and Joe Louis Arena – will be held outdoors for the first time in 2012, kicking off the festivities at the Hockeytown Winter Festival at Comerica Park. The events culminate with the 2013 NHL Winter Classic, which will be held on a college campus for the first time at Michigan Stadium.
The GLI – featuring Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech and Western Michigan – is believed to be the first tournament that will decide its champion in outdoor games since the 1957 IIHF World Championship in Moscow. That game in ’57 set hockey’s all-time attendance record that was later broken by the 2001 “Cold War” between Michigan and Michigan State – the event that truly launched the current era of outdoor games, including the NHL Winter Classic.
The current attendance record of 113,411 was set at the “Big Chill” between Michigan and Michigan State in 2011 at Michigan Stadium. The NHL is sure to threaten that mark with the 2013 Winter Classic.
While outdoor games have become a staple of the hockey season since 2001, most have been regular-season or exhibition contests. The GLI will be unique in that the holiday tournament will decide a championship outdoors.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank the Ilitch family for giving college hockey – and specifically Michigan Tech – a chance to be a part of the Hockeytown Winter Festival,” Michigan Tech head coach Mel Pearson said. “Having been a part of three outdoor games in the past, I know our players are being afforded a special opportunity to play in an outdoor game. We really look forward to playing at Comerica.”
“Playing the GLI at Comerica Park will provide a truly unique event for fans and our players,” said Michigan head coach Red Berenson. “We’ve obviously played in outdoor games in the past, but never in a tournament format like this. I would expect it to be a great experience for everyone involved.”
The Hockeytown Winter Classic at Comerica Park, which will start with the GLI games, will also feature AHL, junior and youth games, as well as an alumni game featuring former Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 2012-13 Red Wings and Maple Leafs will face off on New Year’s Day at the 2013 Winter Classic. Current Red Wings and Maple Leafs rosters feature 16 former college hockey players, including alumni of Michigan, Michigan State and Michigan Tech.
“We are excited to provide the NHL with use of our beautiful Michigan Stadium for the Winter Classic,” said Dave Brandon, Michigan’s athletic director. “This will be a way for hockey fans around the globe to experience Michigan Stadium and the University of Michigan. This event will have a significant positive economic impact on the Ann Arbor community and the State of Michigan.”