Desert Hockey Classic

Desert Hockey Classic
Tournament information
SportCollege ice hockey
LocationTempe, Arizona
Number of
tournaments
4
FormatSingle-elimination
VenueMullett Arena
Teams4
Current champion
Arizona State

The Desert Hockey Classic is an annual mid season ice hockey tournament hosted by Arizona State University.[1]

History

Michigan Tech won the inaugural tournament in 2015.[2] In 2016–2017 the Desert Hockey Classic was moved to Prescott,[3] and later returned to Glendale for the 2018–19 season. The tournament went on hiatus for the 2017–18 and 2019–20 seasons.

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.[4]

Championship game

Season Champion Runner-up Third place Fourth place Venue
2015–16Michigan Tech (in shootout)YaleConnecticutArizona StateGila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
2016–17ConnecticutBrownSt. Cloud StateArizona StatePrescott Valley Event Center, Prescott Valley, Arizona
2017–18CancelledDue to ASU participating in Ice Vegas Invitational
2018–19ClarksonMinnesota DuluthArizona StateMinnesota StateGila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
2022–23Michigan TechBoston UniversityArizona StateAir ForceMullett Arena, Tempe, Arizona
2023–24Arizona StateOmahaMassachusetts LowellHarvard
2024–25Arizona StateCornellMassachusettsRobert Morris
2025–26Arizona StateAir ForceMichigan TechAlaska Anchorage

MVPs

Year Player Team Pos.
2025Ryan KirwanArizona StateF
2019Tyler KiellyClarksonG
2017Rob NicholsUConnG

Team records

Team # of times participated Titles Conference
Arizona State72024, 2025, 2026NCHC
Michigan Tech32016, 2023CCHA
Connecticut22017Hockey East
Clarkson12019ECAC
Air Force20AHA
Alaska Anchorage10Independent
Boston University10Hockey East
Brown10ECAC
Cornell10ECAC
Harvard10ECAC
Massachusetts10Hockey East
Massachusetts Lowell10Hockey East
Minnesota Duluth10NCHC
Minnesota State10CCHA
Omaha10NCHC
Robert Morris10AHA
St. Cloud State10NCHC
Yale10ECAC

References

  1. ↑ "Desert Hockey Classic brings NCAA competition to Arizona". azcentral.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Michigan Tech wins Desert Hockey Classic in shootout after tie with No. 12 Yale". USCHO.com. 11 January 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  3. ↑ "ASU hockey's Desert Hockey Classic moves to Prescott". The State Press. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  4. ↑ Betsy Helfand (January 7, 2018). "Arizona State captures inaugural Ice Vegas Invitational title". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 13, 2019.