MARQUETTE, Mich. - Concluding its holiday break, the Northern Michigan men's hockey team travels to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to participate in the 58th Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) tournament, hosted by Michigan Tech at Van Andel Arena from Sunday, December 29 to Monday, December 30.
Regarded as one of the country's top collegiate hockey holiday tournaments, the Wildcats open the two-day tournament with a clash against the number one team in the nation, the Michigan State Spartans, on Sunday at 7 p.m. following the conclusion of Michigan Tech vs Western Michigan at 3:37 p.m. ET. The two winners will face each other in the championship game on Monday at 7 p.m. following the conclusion of the third-place game at 3:30 p.m. beforehand.
The 18th time in GLI history with four Michigan-based schools, this marks the seventh time the Wildcats will take place in the GLI, and first time since 2015, when the 'Cats lost 3-2 to the University of Michigan then defeated Michigan State 2-1. The 'Cats have faced the Huskies three times in tournament history, most recently an 8-1 win in 1998, and have faced Michigan State on four separate occasions, with wins coming in 2015 and 1992. Michigan Tech has won the GLI 12 times in 57 tournaments, Michigan State has 12 GLI titles in 49 tournaments, and Western Michigan will make its seventh all-time appearance, their first time since winning the first GLI at Van Andel Arena in 2022.
Tickets
Van Andel Arena
NMU Alumni Pre-Game Meetup
Join us in Grand Rapids for the ultimate college hockey experience at the 58th Great Lakes Invitational (GLI)! Celebrate the holiday season with thrilling matchups, exciting fan events, and the best of Wildcat hockey spirit.
All alumni and friends are invited to join your hosts Angela '97 BS and Andrew '98 BS Thompson at Buffalo Wild Wings for a pregame gathering from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on December 29, prior to the 7 p.m. puck drop of the Michigan State vs. Northern Michigan game.
Game Times
December 29, 2024
- Michigan Tech vs. Western Michigan - 3:30 p.m.
- Michigan State vs. Northern Michigan - 7:00 p.m.
December 30, 2024
- Third Place Game - 3:30 p.m.
- Championship Game - 7:00 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are available at
Ticketmaster or in person at the DeVos Place Grand Gallery Box Office. Student and alumni presale codes are available for exclusive section access. Don't miss the chance to cheer on NMU from Section 120 (Wildcats Student Section) or Section 220 (Band Section)!
Media Coverage
Television/Streaming
All four games will also be streamed FREE on
uppermichiganssource.com and the
TV6 & FoxUP Roku app. Both Michigan State games will be available on
BTN+, and all games involving Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan will be available on
Midco Sports Plus.
Radio
- WLUC Marquette, MI (TV6 airs Tech-WMU, all other games on FoxUP)
- WILX Lansing, MI (semifinals on 10.2 MeTV, 3rd place & title game on 10.1 NBC)
- KCRG Cedar Rapids, IA (all games on 9.2)
- KBJR Duluth, MN (all games on 6.3 My9)
- KTTC Rochester, MN (all games on 10.2 CW)
- KEYC Mankato, MN (all games on 7.3 Circle)
- WFSB Hartford, CT (channel assignment pending)
- WOIO Cleveland, OH (channel assignment pending)
- WPAM Columbia, SC (all games on 18.1)
- WIS Columbia, SC (all games on 10.4)
- WHNS Greenville, SC (all games on 21.2)
- WZCH Charleston, SC (all games on 35.3)
- WMBF Myrtle Beach, SC (all games on 32.3)
On-Air Talent
- Mark Evans - play by play
- Dave Ellis - color
- Zak McClellan - rinkside reporter
- Kevin McNulty - intermission host
Mid-Game Intermission Player Feature
Captain
Tanner Latsch will be featured in-between the second and third period of the Wildcats game agaisnt the Spartans on Sunday night.
About Van Andel Arena, Directions, and Parking
Van Andel Arena is located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Serving as West Michigan's premier entertainment destination, the arena hosts numerous sporting events, family shows, concerts, comedy shows and more each year. Van Andel Arena is home to the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL hockey team; the Grand Rapids Gold, NBA G League team; and the Pro Volleyball Federation's Grand Rapids Rise.
Since marking its Grand Entrance on October 8, 1996, Van Andel Arena has attracted the biggest names in family shows, concerts and sporting events, including acts such as Neil Diamond, Disney On Ice, NCAA Hockey Regional Championships, the AFL Arena Bowl XV game, Detroit Pistons & Michigan State University basketball exhibition games, Paul McCartney, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Elton John, Metallica, Bob Seger, P!NK, Justin Timberlake, Kevin Hart, Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, MercyMe, Lauren Daigle and more!
Van Andel Arena is located at
130 West Fulton St. Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Parking facilities near Van Andel Arena are managed by the City of Grand Rapids. Metered parking is available on the streets surrounding the arena.
Use the
Downtown Visitor's Mobility and Parking Guide to help you discover the many options to fit your budget and activity!
Accessible parking is available in all City owned and operated parking ramps and surface parking lots. Each lot has accessible designated spaces, including van-accessible spaces, for vehicles displaying a current state-issued disability placard or license plate. Accessible spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so please plan accordingly.
For up-to-date traffic information, visit
MDOT's Mi Drive Interactive Map.
