GLI Lineup Announced Through 2016

Submitted by gwkrlghl on

Apologies as this will draw one big collective yawn from approximately 99.6% of MGoBlog readership but I found this to be some nice news.

The Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) is going to be an All-Michigan affair through the next four tournaments minimum. This is nice as it'll keep some of those in-state games going now that most of it was obliterated with the emergence of the Big Ten / split of the CCHA

Michigan, MSU, and Tech are all annual participants. The fourth team will be:

  • 2013 - Western Michigan
  • 2014 - Ferris State
  • 2015 - Northern Michigan 
  • 2016 - Western Michigan

Brian has long advocated for a 'State of Michigan' tournament amongst the Michigan schools. (which I'd also like to see though I can't find that old post on here). Making the GLI a Michigan-only affair might be a baby step in that direction

Link

Rabbit21

September 11th, 2013 at 5:34 PM ^

In the current format, I actually find this a little disappointing as I enjoyed seeing Colorado College and other teams Michigan wouldn't normally play come into town.

If this is a prelude to structuring some sort of Michigan cup then I am all for it.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

September 12th, 2013 at 9:54 AM ^

Agreed.  Part of the point was to bring in an out-of-state school like a BU or BC into the mix.  At least that's how I always saw it.  If we're going to have a state-of-Michigan tournament, let's do it and include ALL teams in the state, but the GLI needs to have someone from out of state or it slides into national irrelevance.

Canadian

September 11th, 2013 at 5:35 PM ^

Where's lake st?? Or northern?? A Michigan tourney would be sweet. Hold it at the beginning of the season having it stretch out over a couple of weeks. Have the final at the joe. Like a bigger/better beanpot tourney.

NFG

September 11th, 2013 at 6:16 PM ^

I'd like to keep the GLI a tournament of teams that are nationally ranked and have a Michigan only tournament played at Van Andel in GR.

Michigan Arrogance

September 11th, 2013 at 6:49 PM ^

1) never apologize for hockey content. in fact, I propose every NON-hockey post begin with an apology for the LACK of M hockey content.

2) I know we want to play local teams, and Minn. has the same thing going, but I liked having one non-local team in teh tourney. CC, Denver, NoDak, BU, BC, RPI, etc.

Wolverine Devotee

September 11th, 2013 at 10:21 PM ^

That's stupid. Michigan was supossed to play Denver this year. 

Screw this. The only team that matters nationally yearly, has the large fan support and has the following in this state is Michigan.

I want North Dakota. I want Minnesota-Duluth. I want Colorado College. I want Miami U. 

The Minnesota Cup works in Minnesota because that is the only sport anyone is good at or cares about there. WMU is going to get abused in the NCHC and FSU & NMU are pretty much nothing again now that they're in the land of misfit toys. 

I'm gonna miss the CCHA in the long run. I think we all are. It will be great to play minnesota and wisconsin but ohio hockey is pathetic and PSU is still a newborn. 

mgoblue99

September 12th, 2013 at 10:14 AM ^

While I agree that having a national powerhouse join the GLI field is nice in theory, the timing of the tournament has resulted in depleted rosters from top national schools, including Michigan, for years.  Every year, top players are invited to the World Junior Championships, leaving the GLI rosters looking like bare-bones versions of the team that takes the ice the rest of the year.  So even though I agree with you that I'd like to see some big-name schools come into the area and participate in the tournament, what I'd really like is to see the tournament moved to a time period where the rosters won't be decimated by World Junior invites.

goblueram

September 12th, 2013 at 9:44 AM ^

No yawn here.  Thanks for the info.  Always want more content covering the greatest sport in the world.  

Side note - Wings @ Hawks first preseason game next Tuesday.  I'll be there, and hopefully it will be better than my last heartbreaking game at the United Center...