NEW YORK - The Kelley-Harkness Cup will be up for grabs this fall as Red Hot Hockey returns to Madison Square Garden for the ninth time on Saturday, Nov. 25, Boston University Director of Athletics Drew Marrochello and Cornell University's Meakem Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education Nicki Moore announced today.  
 
The hockey-crazed fan bases from longtime rivals Boston University and Cornell will converge in New York City on Thanksgiving weekend once again as Red Hot Hockey has become one of the premier events in college hockey since debuting in 2007. 
 
Puck drop for this year's contest is set for 8 p.m. Tickets for Red Hot Hockey will be on sale beginning on Wednesday, July 19, at noon and may be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.msg.com. 
 
Fans will have the opportunity to buy tickets in either the Boston University or Cornell Fan Sections. Student tickets will be available at a discounted rate at the box office at Agganis Arena (Boston University) and at the Cornell Athletic Ticket Office in Bartels Hall.
 
"We're thrilled to spend Thanksgiving weekend with Terrier Nation in New York City for a ninth time," said Marrochello. "With the help of our friends at Madison Square Garden and Cornell, this event quickly developed into a wonderful tradition for our alumni and fans, and we're looking forward to another fantastic hockey game between two of the country's top teams." 
 
"I'm incredibly excited to experience my first Red Hot Hockey game alongside the Big Red Faithful!," said Moore. "I have quickly come to understand how special this rivalry is to our student-athletes, coaches and alumni, and to appreciate the history we are writing with each successive year. I have heard alumni stories about the family holiday traditions that have emerged around this contest, and acknowledge what a special opportunity it is to play in an iconic venue such as Madison Square Garden. I am grateful to the dedicated staff of Cornell, BU and MSG who work tirelessly to bring this event to life, and I look forward to being a part of the next chapter played in front of our loyal New York City alumni base, and fans near and far who make this annual trip to The Garden to make Big Red Men's Ice Hockey a Thanksgiving tradition."
 
Over half of the previous Red Hot Hockey games have been played in front of sold-out crowds at Madison Square Garden. The inaugural 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.  
 
After BU went undefeated in the first five Red Hot Hockey meetings (3-0-2), the Big Red has roared back with wins in each of the past three, including a 6-4 decision in 2021. BU won in 2007, 2011 and 2013 while the rivals skated to ties in 2009 and 2015. The Kelley-Harkness Cup, which honors legendary coaches Jack Kelley (BU) and Ned Harkness (Cornell), was first introduced 10 years ago.    
 
The BU-Cornell rivalry began on Jan. 10, 1925, with a 7-2 victory by the Terriers, and includes two matchups 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, has been the venue for this showcase since its inception.  
 
BU and Cornell played two thrilling one-goal games this past season, including a 2-1 Terrier victory in the NCAA Manchester Regional final that clinched BU's 23rd Frozen Four appearance. The two schools also skated against one another on campus for the first time since 2002 when the Terriers welcomed the Big Red to Agganis Arena in January for the 50th all-time meeting between BU and Cornell.

"Madison Square Garden is thrilled to continue the rich tradition of Red Hot Hockey and welcome back Boston University and Cornell University for the ninth time on Saturday, November 25," said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Marquee Events and Operations. "College hockey's fierce rivalry has become a mainstay on The Garden calendar, and we look forward to hosting the college hockey-crazed fans once again."
  
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 New York Rangers president Chris Drury, Tony Amonte and Jack Eichel (BU), as well as Douglas Murray, Ken Dryden and Joe Nieuwendyk (Cornell).  
 
"This game at Madison Square Garden is the premier event for college hockey," said Mike Schafer, who is entering his 29th year as Cornell's head coach. "It is a great game involving two of the most storied programs in the country. It's a great example of not only the importance of athletics as a connector back to the university, but also the value of athletics for the experience of undergraduates while at Cornell. The Lynah Faithful are the best fans in college hockey, and they demonstrate that by showing up every year at Madison Square Garden." 
 
"This is a game that we certainly have circled on our calendar at the beginning of the year," said second-year BU head coach Jay Pandolfo. "Madison Square Garden is a special place to play and I'm excited for our guys to have the opportunity to skate on such a big stage in such a historic rivalry. We had an amazing atmosphere for both of our meetings with Cornell last season and I'm looking forward to another incredible turnout when we head to MSG."