Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. – Lake Superior State University (LSSU) in association with the City of Sault Ste Marie are pleased to announce that the LSSU men's hockey team will host the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) season game, 7 p.m. February 15, 2020 at the GFL Memorial Gardens. This will be the first game played by the University in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and the first NCAA Division I men's game played in Canada since January 7, 2012, when North Dakota and Clarkson played in Winnipeg.
The Lakers, who are set to open their 54th season of collegiate play, have instilled a proud hockey tradition throughout their history. The LSSU men's hockey team has clinched five National Championships, qualified for 10 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournaments, produced 18 All-Americans, and has had two players named as U.S. College Hockey Player of the Year. Laker hockey has been guided by a legendary group of head coaches including U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Ron Mason, Rick Comley, Frank Anzalone and Jeff Jackson. The current program is run by sixth-year Head Coach Damon Whitten along with senior co-captains Max Humitz and Collin Saccoman.
"Laker hockey is very excited to partner with the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and the GFL Memorial Gardens for this event. It is great to be involved in an event that can connect the storied hockey history that these sister cities share. We hope to continue to build this relationship and there's no better way to do it than through the great game of hockey," said Lake Superior State Head Coach Damon Whitten.
"The Lakers are coming off their best season in 23 years, and the community is looking forward to this historic event," expressed Dr. Rodney Hanley, Lake Superior State University President. "It's a great way to bring the Twin Saults together for an exciting night of Division I hockey."
"This is certainly exciting news for hockey fans in our area. As we all know, Sault Ste. Marie is a tremendous hockey community, and the GFL Memorial Gardens is a great location for this game. I encourage people to buy tickets, and I hope to see many of our neighbours from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan in attendance," says Mayor Provenzano, Sault Ste. Marie Ontario.
"This is a fantastic opportunity certaintly for Lake Superior State University and the City of Sault Ste. Marie to showcase the great calibre of hockey in our area. We thank the administration of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and LSSU for coordinating this tremendous opportunity," says Mayor Bosbous, Sault Ste. Marie Michigan
"There is a unique and rich hockey tradition on both sides of the St. Mary's River. With only 3.5 miles separating them, no NCAA Division I hockey program and Major Junior program are closer in proximity. We see this as an opportunity to celebrate the game at all levels as well as a stage to showcase the many positive aspects of our university. We're thrilled to be in partnership with GFL Gardens," says Dr. David Paitson, Director of Athletics at Lake Superior State University.
"All of us at the Western Collegiate Hockey Association are excited to see Lake Superior State and Alabama Huntsville take our game north of the border, I want to congratulate David Paitson, Damon Whitten and the athletic department staff at Lake Superior State for their work to make this unique opportunity a reality. This is a great day for the WCHA and collegiate hockey," says Bill Robertson, WCHA President and Men's League Commissioner.
Soo Greyhounds season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets in their seat for this event beginning September 23 at 10 a.m. until October 7 at 5 p.m. at the GFL Memorial Gardens Box Office only.
Laker season ticket holders will be issued tickets for this event as part of their ticket package. They will be assigned a seat location similar to their seat in the Taffy Abel Arena. Their tickets will be available for pickup at the Norris Center ticket office beginning mid-October.
Tickets go on sale to the public on October 11 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at the GFL Memorial Gardens Box office, online at www.gflgardens.ca or by calling 1-866-775-9422.
Group tickets of 10 or more may be available for purchase on a first come first serve basis. Please contact Jenn at 705-759-5254 for more details for groups.