The annual Ice Breaker Tournament marks the traditional start to the college hockey season. Celebrating its 27th year in 2023-24, the Ice Breaker brings together four of the nation's top teams, typically from different conferences.
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.
Sixteen schools have won an Ice Breaker title since Michigan State claimed the first one 25 years ago. Past Ice Breaker champions include Boston College (three times), Boston University (three times), Minnesota (three times), New Hampshire (twice), Denver (twice), Notre Dame (twice), Air Force, Colorado College, Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech, North Dakota, Ohio State, 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), Enterprise Center (St. Louis) and Kohl Center (Madison, Wis.).
In 2023, The Ice Breaker Tournament will be co-hosted by Bemidji State and North Dakota. Army West Point and Wisconsin will also participate in the event, scheduled for Oct. 13-14 in Bemidji, Minn., and Grand Forks, N.D.
| 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 |
| 2013 | University of Minnesota | Mariucci Arena (Minneapolis) | Clarkson, Mercyhurst, Minnesota, New Hampshire |
| 2014 | University of Notre Dame | Compton Family Ice Arena (South Bend) | Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth, Notre Dame, Rensselaer |
| 2015 | University of Maine | Cumberland County Civic Center (Portland) | Lake Superior State, Maine, Michigan State, North Dakota |
| 2016 | University of Denver | Magness Arena (Denver) | Denver, Air Force, Boston College, Ohio State |
| 2017 | University of Minnesota Duluth | AMSOIL Arena (Duluth) | Michigan Tech, Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth, Union |
| 2018 | Mercyhurst University | Erie Insurance Arena (Erie) | Mercyhurst, Miami, Notre Dame, Providence |
| 2019 | Bowling Green State University | Huntington Center (Toledo) | Bowling Green, Ohio State, RIT, Western Michigan |
| 2020 | Postponed: COVID-19 | ||
| 2021 | College of the Holy Cross | DCU Center (Worcester) | Boston College, Holy Cross, Northeastern, Quinnipiac |
| 2021 | University of Minnesota Duluth | AMSOIL Arena (Duluth) | Michigan, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State, Providence |
| 2022 | Air Force Academy, University of Denver | Cadet Ice Arena (Colorado Springs), Magness Arena (Denver) | Air Force, Denver, Maine, Notre Dame |
| 2023 | Bemidji State University, University of North Dakota | Sanford Center (Bemidji), Engelstad Arena (Grand Forks) | Army West Point, Bemidji State, North Dakota, Wisconsin |
| 2024 | University of Minnesota | Orleans Arena (Las Vegas) | Air Force, Omaha, Massachusetts, Minnesota |