Boston to host 2022 Frozen Four
Local college hockey fans learned yesterday that they won’t have to fly the friendly skies to attend the 2022 Frozen Four.
Yesterday, the NCAA announced that TD Garden will host the 2022 event on a bid jointly submitted by Hockey East and the Garden. The NCAA also announced more than 600 sites for preliminary and finals of championships in Division 1, 2, and 3 from 2017-2022 for all sports.
As first reported in The Herald during the recent Frozen Four in Chicago, Boston was included in the list of four future sites. The last time Boston served as host was in 2015 when Providence upset Boston University, 4-3, to capture its first national title. Boston also hosted Frozen Fours in 1998, 2004 and 2015.
“We’re thrilled,’’ said Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna. “Everyone remembers 2015 and had good memories of that event. We’d obviously like to see two Hockey East teams in the final like we did back then, but I like Boston getting it for a couple of personal reasons. One, I’m a hockey fan, too. The other reason is that a lot of hockey fans in the Boston and New England area won’t have to jump on an airplane and reserve a hotel room just to get there. They’ll be able to drive to the event. I’ve always felt that Boston should be part of a rotation where it goes to St. Paul (Minnesota), Boston and then fill-in the third year.”
St. Paul will host next year’s Frozen Four, Buffalo hosts in 2019, Detroit in 2020 and Pittsburgh in 2021.
Steve Nazro, the vice president of events for TD Garden, said, “It was a combined effort. I think we did a great job in 2015 and we take great pride in that.”
In addition, the NCAA also announced regional sites for Div. 1 men’s ice hockey in 2018 and 2019. The DCU Center in Worcester will host a regional March 23-25, 2018, while in 2019, Manchester, N.H., and Providence will host regionals.
Also, Boston University will host the 2020 Women’s Frozen Four at Agganis Arena.
“I think it will be a lot fun and we’ll make sure it’s a first class event,’’ said BU coach Brian Durocher yesterday. “The last time we hosted in 2009 it was a big hit. We had a youth clinic and an alumni event and we’ll make sure those things happen again.”
Boston College will host a regional Div. 1 men’s and women’s cross country event on Nov. 13, 2020.
“It’s a great thing for the school and a great thing for the program,’’ said BC women’s coach Randy Thomas. “It’s always a good thing when you get to host an NCAA event.”