Michigan-MSU Hockey will now play for "The Iron D"..

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

I used to make fun of these contrived rivalry trophies that have no history other than being created in a marketing room.

Sigh......The Iron D is what Michigan will now play for in the annual hockey game against state in Detroit.

 

WARNING: Freep link

Mike Bayoff, Director of Strategic Hockey Alliances for the Red Wings/Olympia Entertainment, told the Free Press that U-M coach Red Berenson and MSU coach Tom Anastos will help play a role in the creation of the rival trophy, which will go to the winner of the annual game played in Detroit.

Bayoff said Michigan and Michigan State play for the Paul Bunyan Trophy in football, and Olympia Entertainment wanted to create something to signify the hockey rivalry when the game is played in Detroit.

The U-M/MSU hockey game at Joe Louis Arena has recently been termed “The Duel in the D.”

“We wanted to have something that was our own when the two hockey teams from each university comes here to the Joe,” Bayoff said. “The trophy that will be unveiled is called the Iron D."

Wolverine Devotee

December 29th, 2015 at 4:15 PM ^

The game didn't even have a formal name prior to last year.

It was just the annual game in Detroit. Now it's the "Duel in the D", complete with logo and branding opportunities.

I have opinions about that game. Let's just say they're unpopular. My biggest gripe is losing a home game because of it in alternating years. 

mgobaran

December 29th, 2015 at 4:15 PM ^

I like the idea of playing for a trophy against MSU for Hockey. I don't like that that trophy was made by olympia entertainment for games only in Detroit. And I don't like that that trophy is not a wad of hockey tape and bits of broken bench or something original. 

wildbackdunesman

December 29th, 2015 at 4:51 PM ^

What makes this "Iron D" Trophy seem ridiculous is that you could easily have these teams meet 6 times between the 4 regular season games, the GLI, and the BigTen playoffs.

It is possible for one team to win 5 out of 6 games, including knocking the other team out of the playoffs, but not have the "Iron D" trophy.  Seems a bit pointless.