The Clarkson University Hockey team will open the 2013-14 campaign at the Ice Breaker Tournament to be held on October 11-12 at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The tournament, which marks the traditional start to the college hockey season, will also feature the University of Minnesota, Mercyhurst College and the University of New Hampshire.

College Hockey Inc., which manages the event on behalf of the Hockey Commissioners Association, will partner with the University of Minnesota to host the event, which is in its 17th year in 2013.

This will mark Clarkson’s third appearance in the prestigious tournament, having also participated in the inaugural event in 1997 in Wisconsin and in 2011 at Maine.

“We are very excited about opening our 2013-14 season at college hockey’s prestigious Ice Breaker Tournament,” stated Golden Knights’ head coach Casey Jones. “I have had the opportunity to coach in Mariucci Arena before and look forward to my players having the experience of playing against great competition in a great college hockey venue.”

The four schools in the 2013 field have combined for 89 NCAA Tournament appearances, with both Minnesota and New Hampshire coming off trips to the national tournament. The field will feature representatives from the Big Ten, Atlantic Hockey, ECAC Hockey and Hockey East.

“Mariucci Arena is one of the best venues in college hockey and a terrific location to celebrate the start of the 2013-14 season,” College Hockey Inc. Executive Director Mike Snee said. “The four participating programs have storied histories, outstanding coaches and talented student-athletes who will showcase our sport in the Ice Breaker.”