Cornell, Boston University Men’s Hockey Announce Return Of Red Hot Hockey in November
NEW YORK – Red Hot Hockey, one of the NCAA’s premier hockey events between long-time rivals Boston University and Cornell, returns for a seventh edition to Madison Square Garden this Thanksgiving weekend, Boston University Director of Athletics Drew Marrochello and Cornell University’s Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education Andy Noel announced.
Red Hot Hockey has taken place in front of sell-out crowds on four occasions and the biennial tilt for the Kelley-Harkness Cup has become the premier alumni event for the schools’ hockey-crazed fan bases. The puck drops on the 2019 installment at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30.
Tickets for Red Hot Hockey are on sale now. Tickets in the Cornell sections for Red Hot Hockey will be available through bigredtix.com or in-person at the Cornell Athletic Ticketing Office in Bartels Hall. A limited number of specially priced student tickets are available now online or in-person.
“We’re excited to renew one of the most storied rivalries in college hockey this November against Boston University,” Noel said. “This is a game alumni from all corners of the country circle on their calendar. ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’, Madison Square Garden, is a fitting stage for our determined coaches and student-athletes.”
The inaugural Red Hot Hockey event, staged in front of 18,200 passionate students, alumni, parents and fans, was a resounding success. Held on November 24, 2007, it featured members of the 1980 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey team Mike Eruzione, Jack O’Callahan and David Silk from Boston University, as well as NHL Hall of Famer and Cornell alum, Joe Nieuwendyk.
Cornell won its first Kelley-Harkness Cup in the last edition of Red Hot Hockey, getting the game-winning goal from Tristan Mullin before staving off a late BU rally for a 4-3 victory on November 25, 2017. BU was undefeated at Red Hot Hockey before that – winning in 2007, 2011 and 2013 while skating to ties with the Big Red in 2009 and 2015. The Kelley-Harkness Cup, which honors legendary coaches Jack Kelley (BU) and Ned Harkness (Cornell), was first introduced six years ago.
“Spending Thanksgiving weekend with Terrier Nation in New York City with the Kelley-Harkness Cup on the line has truly become a great tradition,” Marrochello said. “We’re proud to once again showcase one of college hockey’s best rivalries with our friends at Madison Square Garden.”
The BU-Cornell rivalry began on Jan. 10, 1925, with a 7-2 victory by the Terriers, and includes two match-ups in the NCAA title game (1967, 1972). However, the schools met only sporadically since BU left the ECAC to join Hockey East in 1984-85 before the initial Red Hot Hockey event. Madison Square Garden, home to the NHL’s Rangers and NBA’s Knicks, will once again serve as the venue to showcase the next chapter in this storied rivalry.
“Red Hot Hockey has become one of the great nights on the Madison Square Garden calendar and we are excited for the return of Boston University and Cornell University on November 30th,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Marquee Events. “This tremendous college hockey rivalry is regularly sold out, and we’re looking forward to another great crowd at ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’.”
Both schools are perennial college hockey powerhouses. Boston University has won the national championship five times (1971, 1972, 1978, 1995 and 2009), while Cornell has claimed the title twice (1967, 1970). Combined, the two schools have produced more than 100 NHL players, including the likes of former Rangers captain Chris Drury, Keith Tkachuk and Kevin Shattenkirk (BU), as well as Douglas Murray, Ken Dryden and Joe Nieuwendyk (Cornell).
“For our players to have the opportunity to represent the university and play in front of such a supportive alumni base is one of the most prideful moments that I have as a head coach,” Cornell head coach and alumnus Mike Schafer said. “It’s one of college hockey’s premier events, and it has really reignited our rivalry with BU.”
“Our guys are already looking forward to this year’s Red Hot Hockey game,” said BU head coach Albie O’Connell. “It’s a special night for both schools and we’re thankful to have this opportunity once again.”
