East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State will compete in the 2022 Great Lakes Invitational, a traditional tournament with a new look for the next chapter. Michigan Tech is once again hosting the tournament and presenting the annual holiday classic at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on December 27-28. GLI mainstay Michigan State will join the Huskies along with West Michigan and Ferris State as the teams battle it out for the MacInnes Cup in a two-day single-elimination tournament.

“We are thrilled to continue the legendary tradition of the GLI,” said Michigan Tech athletic director Suzanne Sanregret. “It was a pleasure to work with Van Andel Arena and the Grand Rapids Griffins as well as the administrators and coaches of Michigan State, West Michigan and Ferris State to continue the illustrious history of this premier college hockey tournament. We look forward to adding to the great traditions of the tournament and creating exciting memories for student-athletes, coaches and fans.”

“I had the pleasure of participating in the Great Lakes Invitational as a player and a coach,” said the Spartan head coach. Adam Nightingale. “The possibility of competing for a tournament championship in the middle of a season is exciting, and I was lucky enough to win a GLI title when I was a player. Michigan State is proud to be part of the great tradition of this tournament – Grand Rapids is a great hockey city and we look forward to playing in a packed Van Andel Arena.”
The 57th GLI begins with a doubleheader on Tuesday, Dec. 27 between Michigan Tech (CCHA) and Western Michigan (NCHC) at 3:30 p.m., followed by Michigan State (Big Ten) vs. Ferris State (CCHA) at 7 p.m. from those competitions will advance to the GLI Championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m., while the puck will drop in the third-place game at 3:30 p.m. the same day.

The Great Lakes Invitational was first played in 1965 after the idea for the tournament was conceived and implemented by Michigan Tech coach John MacInnes, Olympia Stadium general manager Lincoln Cavalieri and scout Detroit Red Wings Jack Paterson. The tournament has been played at Olympia Stadium (1965-78), Joe Louis Arena (1979-2012, 2014-16), Comerica Park (2013) and Little Caesars Arena (2018-19). COVID-19 canceled the 2020 GLI and teams played a non-tournament showcase-style event in 2021.

This will be the 17th time in tournament history with four Michigan-based teams. Michigan Tech has won the GLI 11 times in 55 tournaments and is the defending champion after a pair of 4-2 victories in the 2019 GLI. Michigan State has 12 GLI titles in 47 tournaments. Western Michigan has three titles in five appearances. Ferris State will be making its third appearance at the tournament.

Ticket packages will go on sale in early August.

Michigan Tech Head Coach Joe Shawhan“We’re really looking forward to a tournament-style GLI again. It’s always a highlight of our season, with quality competition. Our fans and alumni do a great job supporting us wherever we go, but it’s is particularly strong at the GLI, it always feels like home.

Michigan State Head Coach Adam Nightingale“Michigan State is proud to be part of the great tradition of the GLI. Grand Rapids is a great hockey city and we look forward to playing in a packed Van Andel Arena.”

Western Michigan Head Coach Pat Ferschweiler“We’re thrilled to have our program once again participating in the Great Lakes Invitational. It’s a tournament with a long and proud tradition that our fans still love being a part of.”

Bob Daniels, Ferris State Head Coach“We’re proud to be playing in this year’s GLI. It’s a historic and oldest collegiate hockey tournament in the country, and has a great history of memorable champions. The fact that this is the first time that it’s hosted Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids only adds to the excitement, and we’re expecting a large turnout from Bulldog Nation to help us root for victory.