The Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) is a four-team NCAA men's ice hockey tournament held annually at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit between Christmas and New Year as part of College Hockey at The Joe.
The tournament was born out of a conversation between the general manager of Olympia Stadium, Lincoln Cavaleri, Michigan Tech's legendary coach, John MacInnes, and Detroit Red Wings scout Jack Paterson. The three men were discussing the lack of American-born players in the National Hockey League and concluded that a prestigious collegiate tournament could make a difference by promoting interest in hockey among young athletes, as well as the general public. Jack Tompkins, American Airlines vice president, former University of Michigan goalie, and a member of the Detroit Red Wings organization, championed their vision as well, and together in 1965, they founded the Great Lakes Invitational hockey tournament.
The GLI has grown into one of the premier college and holiday sporting events in the country, originating at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium. Michigan Tech, the host for the tournament since its inception, added Michigan as a co-host in 1976 and moved into its present home, Joe Louis Arena, in 1979.
Michigan State University is traditionally selected as a third participant while the fourth is a different team each season. The GLI is the second most attended college hockey tournament behind only the Beanpot. In 1999, the GLI surpassed the one-million mark in total attendance.
Future participants will be Western Michigan (2012), Denver (2013), and Western Michigan (2014). The 2012 edition of the invitational was originally scheduled to take place at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI on December 27-28. The cancellation of the 2013 NHL Winter Classic meant the NHL would not build the additional rink at Comerica Park, therefore the GLI was moved into Joe Louis Arena where it is traditionally played.
Read more about Great Lakes Invitational: Yearly Results, Team Records
Famous quotes containing the word lakes:
“No doubt, the short distance to which you can see in the woods, and the general twilight, would at length react on the inhabitants, and make them savages. The lakes also reveal the mountains, and give ample scope and range to our thought.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)