The four schools which have participated in the first six years of the College Hockey Showcase have agreed to continue the event next year, and to keep the games at campus sites. Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota and Wisconsin have participated in the Showcase, begun in an effort to highlight Big Ten rivalries in college hockey, since 1993.
After four years at neutral sites, the Showcase moved to on-campus venues in 1997, when the contests were held at MSU’s Munn Ice Arena and Michigan’s Yost Ice Arena. The games were at Minnesota’s Mariucci Arena and Wisconsin’s Kohl Center this season.
“Retaining a Big Ten presence on our schedule is really important,” said Ron Mason, head coach of the third-ranked Spartans and the winningest coach in college hockey history. “The Showcase allows us to play every Big Ten school each year. Plus, in the years when the games are on [our] campus, it’s great for our fans.”
The 1999 Showcase is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26-27, when Wisconsin and Minnesota will visit Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing and Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor. Game times will be announced at a later date.
The four teams involved in the Showcase have made a total of 79 NCAA tournament appearances, and three of the four were in the tournament last season. Both Michigan State (No. 3) and Michigan (No. 8) are currently ranked in the top 10 in the nation.
1999 College Hockey Showcase schedule
Friday, 11/26/99 Minnesota at Michigan
Friday, 11/26/99 Wisconsin at Michigan State
Saturday, 11/27/99 Minnesota at Michigan State
Saturday, 11/27/99 Wisconsin at Michigan
