June 18, 2012

DETROIT, Mich. -- Michigan Technological University and Olympia Entertainment announced today (Monday, June 18) that they have extended their partnership in hosting the Great Lakes Invitational through 2014. One of college hockey's longest standing annual tournaments, the GLI will continue to feature Michigan Tech, Michigan, Michigan State and one invitational team.

"The Great Lakes Invitational tournament has become a long-standing tradition with our program and other schools in the state. We are pleased that this annual holiday tournament will continue for the foreseeable future," said Dave Brandon, Michigan's Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics.

The new three-year contract will take the GLI through its 50th year of existence. The 2012 event will be played outdoors at Comerica Park as part of the Hockeytown Winter Festival and in connection with the NHL's Winter Classic, which will take place at Michigan Stadium on Jan. 1, 2013. The 2013 and 2014 editions of the GLI will be played at Joe Louis Arena, home of 33 of the previous 47 tournaments.

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 Detroit Red Wings scout Jack Paterson. The tournament, which has been played in late December every year, has grown into one of the nation's premier holiday sporting events with more than 1.3 million fans in attendance since its inception.

Michigan has won the last two tournaments and has captured the crown four of the last five years. The Wolverines have 15 titles in all, the most of any participating school.

Contact: Rob Tillotson (734) 763-4423