Ice Breaker Event Schedule
October 8:
Notre Dame vs. Holy Cross at 5:30 p.m.
Boston University vs. University of Wisconsin at 8:30 p.m.
October 10:
Consolation Game at 12 p.m.
Championship Game at 3 p.m.
Four of the nation’s elite college hockey programs will open the 2010 season in St. Louis as part of a unique two-day, four-game tournament at Scottrade Center. Boston University will meet Wisconsin and Holy Cross faces off with Notre Dame on Friday, Oct. 8 in the 2010 Ice Breaker Tournament. The championship and consolation games will be played Sunday afternoon, Oct. 10. Game times will be announced this summer.
The programs competing in the 2010 Ice Breaker share 11 NCAA titles. Boston University won the 2009 Division I championship; Wisconsin advanced to the 2010 Frozen Four final. Two St. Louisans skate for Wisconsin: Sean Dolan (Kennedy) and John Ramage (Marquette).
“We are thrilled to showcase four of the best NCAA hockey programs and welcome fans from all over the country,” said St. Louis Sports Commission President Frank Viverito. “The Ice Breaker Tournament represents a wonderful opportunity for us to continue to raise the profile of college hockey in St. Louis as we did during the Frozen Four in 2007.”
The Sports Commission produced the region’s bid for the Ice Breaker. As host for the event, the organization is working closely with the St. Louis Blues and Scottrade Center to plan for hockey’s opening weekend across all levels of the game.
“The St. Louis Blues and Scottrade Center are excited to be a part of the Ice Breaker event to kick off the 2010-11 NHL season,” said CEO of St. Louis Blues Enterprises Peter McLoughlin. “Fans will have the opportunity to see talented young players and I would like to thank the St. Louis Sports Commission for the time and effort it has put forth for this event.”
The Ice Breaker is overseen by the newly formed College Hockey, Inc., the organization that represents the interests of the 58 NCAA Division I college hockey programs.
“College Hockey Inc. is proud to join with the City of St. Louis in presenting the Ice Breaker Tourney this season,” said Paul Kelly, executive director of College Hockey, Inc. “The four schools (Wisconsin, Holy Cross, Boston University and Notre Dame) represent some of college hockey’s finest programs and St. Louis, with its strong youth and NHL hockey tradition, will serve as a perfect host and partner for this great season-opening tournament.”
Along with the four college teams, more than 150 youth hockey teams from around the country will travel to St. Louis to play in a junior tournament over four days. Featuring kids ages 7 to 18, the youth tournament will attract thousands of players and family members, generating significant visitor spending and hotel room nights for the region. Games will be played at seven venues in the St. Louis area.
“We are fortunate to be involved in an event of this caliber,” said Lloyd Ney, Ice Breaker Junior tournament manager. “This weekend of hockey will bring all segments together ranging from kids who have never played to the collegiate and pro levels.”
St. Louis is the first city to be awarded back-to-back Ice Breaker Tournaments as the Sports Commission will host the 2011 event at Scottrade Center. St. Louis will also be the site of the 2011 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey West Regional next March. Meanwhile, the city is a finalist to host the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four in 2013 or 2014. St. Louis previously hosted the Frozen Four in 1975 and 2007 – when it set the (then) championship game attendance record (19,432).
The four teams participating in the 2011 Ice Breaker College Hockey Tournament will be announced at a later date.
