Friendship Four Tournament

[boblav1]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

2017 - Providence College, Maine, Clarkson and RPI

2018 - Boston University, UConn, Yale and Union College.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/ice-hockey/...rthern_ireland

The write up mentions Maine again in 2018 but it should be UConn.

[The Zlax45]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

I've heard that BC will not be making the trip there. Unfortunately, for reasons that I'm sure people can figure out. Somethings don't change, sadly.

Oh they will actually have to play two games in two nights for a change? ;-)

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

Strong rumor. Weren't we supposed to play in China this year?

Yes.

[UMLFan]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

I've heard that BC will not be making the trip there. Unfortunately, for reasons that I'm sure people can figure out. Somethings don't change, sadly.

[brassbonanza]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

Will only happen if the AD gets vocal. All team expenses paid. I would encourage any of those schools alumni to push for trip. Was a great experience and the history of Belfast along with today's dynamic City makes for a week of great family fun. Then the tournament and treatment by locales is first class! I went over a sceptic came back a big fan of Belfast.

I'd love to see BU go over there, just not to play BC and Harvard.

[joecct]

Is that a rumor or a fact?

Strong rumor. Weren't we supposed to play in China this year?

[Hank81]

I too would love to see BU go, but there's a 0% chance any of BU, BC, or Harvard would sign on to go to a tournament with the other two at the same time since it'd essentially be a Beanpot redux. Is this a northeast only event? Throw in Maine, PC, UNH, Yale, maybe convince Cornell to come over instead of playing in front of a half-full MSG and you've got a quality draw. Stagger BU, BC, and Harvard over separate years and I'm sure they'd be interested with the apparent success of the event.

Will only happen if the AD gets vocal. All team expenses paid. I would encourage any of those schools alumni to push for trip. Was a great experience and the history of Belfast along with today's dynamic City makes for a week of great family fun. Then the tournament and treatment by locales is first class! I went over a sceptic came back a big fan of Belfast.

[Cat lover]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

I had heard a rumor earlier this year about BU and it ended up being Amherst and Vermont this time around. I had also heard Lowell was offered an opportunity to return this year to defend their title from last year but declined.

I think having maybe Harvard and Yale along with BU and BC would be quite appealing to tournament organizers on top of the fact that I bet a decent number of fans/alumni from those schools would make the trip over.

This would be great because right now you never see BC,BU and Harvard in a tourney together every year.

[brassbonanza]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

I had heard a rumor earlier this year about BU and it ended up being Amherst and Vermont this time around. I had also heard Lowell was offered an opportunity to return this year to defend their title from last year but declined.

I think having maybe Harvard and Yale along with BU and BC would be quite appealing to tournament organizers on top of the fact that I bet a decent number of fans/alumni from those schools would make the trip over.

I too would love to see BU go, but there's a 0% chance any of BU, BC, or Harvard would sign on to go to a tournament with the other two at the same time since it'd essentially be a Beanpot redux. Is this a northeast only event? Throw in Maine, PC, UNH, Yale, maybe convince Cornell to come over instead of playing in front of a half-full MSG and you've got a quality draw. Stagger BU, BC, and Harvard over separate years and I'm sure they'd be interested with the apparent success of the event.

[riverchief1]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

Yes, I would really like a reason to make this road trip!

All of the Lowell fans I've spoken to who made the trip last year said it was an absolutely fantastic experience. Between seeing the sites and the very well run and organized tournament, a very good experience all around.

[Crimson on the Glass]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

I think having maybe Harvard and Yale along with BU and BC would be quite appealing to tournament organizers on top of the fact that I bet a decent number of fans/alumni from those schools would make the trip over.

Yes, I would really like a reason to make this road trip!

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

Clarkson and RPI from the ECAC

Is that a rumor or a fact?

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

Went this year to support SLU. I'll echo Split-N's suggestions.

Rockies is a tremendous place, got to talk to the owner (Jim Graves) for a few hours Friday night, and again Saturday. It wasn't busy late Friday night, so he took us around the bar and told us about all the memorabilia, well over an hour. It is skewed towards Canadian pieces, but there are some very, very neat and unusual things there.

I'll also add that Crumlin Road Gaol (jail) is worth a tour. Operated from 1846-1996, and had 17 executions. Pretty neat and interesting place.

We didn't manage to get down and walk around the peace wall area, though did take a double decker bus tour through the area.

If your team is invited in the next couple years (or beyond), I highly recommend the trip. The people are very welcoming, the event is first class, and there is a lot to do and see outside of hockey.

[Split-N]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

Originally posted in the St Lawrence thread but definitely appropriate for this one:

As a random Northeastern fan who made the trip last year, I'll echo all of the positive sentiments expressed above--and then some. The arena is first class, the fans are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and one of the street-level retail businesses at SSE Arena is Rockies, a watering hole owned by Canadian expats that is nothing less than The Mother of All Hockey Bars. And the Titanic Museum, right next door to the arena, is a "must see." Finally, wander down to the City Hall area on Sunday morning and grab a sightseeing bus that will take you on a tour of the Antrim Coast. Beyond the dramatic scenery, the tour also includes a stop at the Bushmills Distillery.

Additional advice for anyone contemplating a trip next year is to plan some days either before or after the tournament to take in Dublin and whatever other parts of the Irish Republic you have time for. It will be time well-spent.

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: Friendship Four Tournament

BU is signed on to play Red Hot Hockey again next Thanksgiving; if BU is participating in the Friendship Four, it would be 2018 at the earliest. I've heard similar rumors in recent weeks about BU going Belfast, so I guess we'll have to wait until Frozen Fenway to confirm whether it's true.