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 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 invited from college hockey's elite ranks. In years past, Boston College, Boston University, Northern Michigan University, the University of North Dakota, and the University of New Hampshire have taken part. In 2006, Harvard University also competed. This was a throw-back to the early days of the tournament when an Ivy League team was a traditional selection.

The GLI is unmatched in attendance among college hockey holiday tournaments. In 1999, the GLI surpassed the one-million mark in total attendance.

Team records

Yearly results

See also

• College Hockey at The Joe