Fortress Invitational

The Fortress Invitational, formerly known as the Ice Vegas Invitational, is an annual mid-season college ice hockey tournament that has been held since 2018 at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip.

Fortress Invitational
StadiumT-Mobile Arena
LocationLas Vegas, Nevada
Operated2018-present
Former names
Ice Vegas Invitational (2018–2019)

History

The Ice Vegas Invitational was created by BD Global, a marketing firm that had produced various college sports events in the Las Vegas area, in partnership with MGM Resorts International, the operator of T-Mobile Arena.[1][2] The organizers hoped that the tournament would attract the top college hockey teams in the country by its third year, fueled by growing appreciation of ice hockey in the area since the launch of the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League.[3] They expected the Invitational to demonstrate the arena's viability as an eventual venue for the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship (the "Frozen Four").[4]

In 2017, Arizona State decided to cancel the Desert Hockey Classic in order to participate in the inaugural Ice Vegas Invitational. They won the tournament.[5]

The 2020 tournament has been renamed the Fortress Invitational (in reference to T-Mobile Arena's nickname, "The Fortress"[6]), and will be hosted by the Golden Knights. It will be held January 3 and 4, 2020 and will be played between Army, Cornell, Ohio State and Providence.[7] Providence defeated Army 3-1 in the first round while Cornell defeated Ohio State 5-2.

Yearly Results
YearChampionRunner-upThird placeFourth placeRef
2018Arizona StateMichigan TechNorthern MichiganBoston College[5]
2019Western MichiganAir ForceConnecticutSt. Lawrence[8]
2020ProvidenceCornellOhio StateArmy

References
  1. Betsy Helfand (January 6, 2018). "Ice Vegas Invitational will return to Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  2. "Organizers hope to grow Las Vegas college hockey invitational in future events". Sports Business Daily. January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  3. Jesse Granger (January 6, 2018). "Golden Knights' McPhee relishes rare opportunity to watch son play hockey in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  4. Alan Snel (January 2, 2019). "Promoter of Ice Vegas Invitational hopes T-Mobile Arena will host college hockey's Frozen Four one day". LVSportsBiz.com. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  5. Betsy Helfand (January 7, 2018). "Arizona State captures inaugural Ice Vegas Invitational title". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  6. Ray Brewer (October 3, 2019). "The Golden Knights have the best home-ice advantage in the NHL". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  7. https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/news/vegas-golden-knights-to-host-fortress-invitational-at-t-mobile-arena/c-308473518
  8. "Air Force hockey comes up short in Ice Vegas championship game". The Gazette. Colorado Springs. January 6, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
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