The Ice Breaker Tournament was created by the Hockey Commissioners Association in order to celebrate the start of the season with teams from a variety of NCAA Division I conferences. The event has a legislative exemption from the NCAA which allows the four participants to play two additional games above the normal limit of 34.

The 2024 Women’s Ice Breaker Tournament will be hosted by Ohio State at OhioHealth Ice Haus. The other participants for 2024 are Cornell, Penn State and Stonehill.

Ohio State to Host 2024 Women’s Ice Breaker Tournament

10/19/2023 11:58:00 AM | Women’s Ice Hockey

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COLUMBUS, Ohio –The Ohio State women’s hockey team, in partnership with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, Western Collegiate Hockey Association and the Hockey Commissioners Association, will host the 2024 Women’s Ice Breaker Tournament at the OhioHealth Ice Haus in downtown Columbus.

“We are excited for the opportunity to host the Ice Breaker Tournament in Columbus next year,” Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall said. “The way the Columbus community has rallied around our program and women’s hockey as a whole has been really special to see and we are looking forward to bringing this event to our city for our fans.”

The Buckeyes will be joined by Cornell, Penn State and Stonehill in the event, scheduled for Oct. 25-26, 2024.

“We are very excited to host this event showcasing the highest level of women’s collegiate hockey in our facility,” Jeremy Rogers, OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks assistant general manager, said. “Girls’ hockey is seeing tremendous growth in Columbus and this event will be a great opportunity for young players to be inspired by players they look up to.”

The Women’s Ice Breaker Tournament, which started in 2019, was created by the Hockey Commissioners Association to celebrate the start of the season with teams from a variety of NCAA Division I conferences.

“Columbus, Ohio State, and Nationwide Arena are proud to host the 2024 Women’s Ice Breaker Tournament,” Ohio State Senior Deputy Athletic Director and SWA Janine Oman said. “The support the hockey community has provided to the women’s team and the growth of ice hockey in Columbus make this event a perfect fit to continue to grow the sport in Central Ohio. We can’t wait to welcome fans to Columbus to showcase high-level NCAA women’s ice hockey.”

The 2024 event marks the first time the Ice Breaker will be played in Columbus and hosted by Ohio State.  It will be the third held in Ohio as the men’s tournament was hosted by Miami University in 2006 and by Bowling Green in 2019.

“We are excited to bring the 2024 Icebreaker Tournament to Columbus,” Linda Logan, CEO and president of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, said. “As home to the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and 2027 Women’s Final Four, Columbus champions women’s sports and commits to hosting top tier experiences for the benefit of visitors, residents and competitors. Ohio State’s national championship and streak of Frozen Four berths under head coach Nadine Muzerall has played a key role in the inspiration and development of young girls and boys playing in our city.”

“The Icebreaker Tournament brings four teams together for an early season women’s hockey showcase and we’re delighted have Ohio State has the host,” Steve Metcalf, Hockey East Commissioner and President of the Hockey Commissioners Association, said.

The Buckeye women’s hockey team will make its first appearance in the Ice Breaker Tournament when it hosts next year, becoming the first WCHA team to host the event and second to play in it.

“The Ice Breaker Tournament has established itself as one of the traditional events in women’s college hockey that fans across the country look forward to at the start of each season,” WCHA Interim Commissioner Tracy Dill said. “The WCHA is thrilled that the event in 2024 will be hosted by Ohio State and the city of Columbus, Ohio and we are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase the sport of NCAA Division I women’s college hockey and the WCHA.”

Information on game times and tickets will be announced at a later date. Click HERE for Ice Breaker Tournament history, including previous locations, participants and champions.

History of the Women’s Ice Breaker Tournament

Tournaments Won (Thru 2023)
Clarkson 1; Minnnesota Duluth, 1; St. Cloud State, 1.

Appearances (Thru 2024)
Clarkson 1; Colgate, 1; Cornell 1, UConn 1; Holy Cross 1; Londenwood 1, Mercyhurst, 1; Minnesota Duluth 1; Northeastern 1, Ohio State 1, Penn State 1Sacred Heart 1, St. Cloud State 1, St. Lawrence 1, Stonehill, Syracuse 1.

The annual Women’s Ice Breaker Tournament marks the traditional start to the college hockey season. Celebrating its 3rd tournament in 2023-24, the Ice Breaker brings together four of the nation’s top teams, typically from different conferences.

The Ice Breaker Tournament was created by the Hockey Commissioners Association in order to celebrate the start of the season with teams from a variety of NCAA Division I conferences. The event has a legislative exemption from the NCAA which allows the four participants to play two additional games above the normal limit of 34.

In 2022, Clarkson earned the Icebreaker title in Lake Placid with a 3-1 win over St. Lawrence.

The 2023 Women’s Ice Breaker Tournament will be hosted by Sacred Heart at Martire Family Arena. The other participants for 2023 are Lindenwood, Northeastern and St. Cloud State.

The 2024 Women’s Ice Breaker Tournament will be hosted by Ohio State at OhioHealth Ice Haus. The other participants for 2024 are Cornell, Penn State and Stonehill.