Great Lakes Invitational

The Great Lakes Invitational is a four-team NCAA men's ice hockey tournament held annually at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit between Christmas and New Year.

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.

The 2012 edition of the invitational was originally scheduled to take place at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan 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. Because the lockout prevented 2012's guest, Western Michigan, from playing outdoors at Comerica Park as originally promised, they were invited again in 2013, when the GLI was finally held at Comerica. In a rematch from 2012's Championship game, Western defeated Michigan Tech 1–0 in overtime.

With the relocation of the NBA's Detroit Pistons to Little Caesars Arena as well as the Red Wings, the GLI now has to be scheduled around both professional teams' schedules. As a result, the 53rd Great Lakes Invitational was held January 1 and 2, 2018 and there was no 2017 tournament.

Yearly results
* Held January 1 and 2, 2018. Therefore, there was no 2017 GLI.