Women’s Ice Hockey to Host 2026 Ice Breaker Tournament
May 4, 2026 | Women's Ice Hockey
BOSTON – Boston University Athletics announced today, in partnership with the Hockey Commissioners Association and College Hockey Inc., that the BU women's ice hockey team will host the 2026 Ice Breaker Tournament at Walter Brown Arena this fall.
Minnesota State, Robert Morris and Yale will join BU in the annual tournament, scheduled for October 23-24. Friday's games will see Minnesota State and Robert Morris face each other at 4 p.m. before BU takes on Yale at 7 p.m. The consolation game on Saturday is set for 2 p.m. and the championship is scheduled for 5 p.m.
"We are thrilled to have Boston University hosting the 2026 Women's Ice Breaker," said Sadie Lundquist, Deputy Director of College Hockey Inc. "This event provides a unique opportunity to bring four conferences together to celebrate women's college hockey and the start of the season. We know the Terriers will deliver an outstanding experience for both the athletes and fans."
The women's ice breaker tournament, founded in 2019 by the Hockey Commissioners Association, was created to celebrate the start of the season with teams from various NCAA Division I conferences. Union hosted the event in 2025, with Wisconsin coming away with the tournament win. Previous Ice Breaker champions include St. Cloud State, Clarkson and Minnesota Duluth.
"We are looking forward to hosting the 2026 Ice Breaker at Boston University" said BU women's ice hockey head coach Tara Watchorn. "Bringing more great hockey to our campus and Boston is great for our sport and community. After playing a full season with our new renovations at Walter Brown Arena, it will be fun to be able to welcome more teams to our space and create a memorable atmosphere for our fans and student-athletes."
BU will be the first-ever Hockey East host for the Women's Ice Breaker and will be the fifth Hockey East school to participate in the tournament. UConn, Holy Cross, Northeastern and Vermont have all previously played in the tournament.
"We're excited to bring the Women's Ice Breaker to Boston University and historic Walter Brown Arena," said Steve Metcalf, Commissioner of Hockey East. "This weekend is always a great showcase for women's hockey."
Fans wishing to purchase a two-day ticket package for the tournament can do so at this link. Individual game tickets will go on sale at a later date. Tickets for the Ice Breaker will not be included in season ticket purchases for BU women's ice hockey.
Minnesota State, Robert Morris and Yale will join BU in the annual tournament, scheduled for October 23-24. Friday's games will see Minnesota State and Robert Morris face each other at 4 p.m. before BU takes on Yale at 7 p.m. The consolation game on Saturday is set for 2 p.m. and the championship is scheduled for 5 p.m.
"We are thrilled to have Boston University hosting the 2026 Women's Ice Breaker," said Sadie Lundquist, Deputy Director of College Hockey Inc. "This event provides a unique opportunity to bring four conferences together to celebrate women's college hockey and the start of the season. We know the Terriers will deliver an outstanding experience for both the athletes and fans."
The women's ice breaker tournament, founded in 2019 by the Hockey Commissioners Association, was created to celebrate the start of the season with teams from various NCAA Division I conferences. Union hosted the event in 2025, with Wisconsin coming away with the tournament win. Previous Ice Breaker champions include St. Cloud State, Clarkson and Minnesota Duluth.
"We are looking forward to hosting the 2026 Ice Breaker at Boston University" said BU women's ice hockey head coach Tara Watchorn. "Bringing more great hockey to our campus and Boston is great for our sport and community. After playing a full season with our new renovations at Walter Brown Arena, it will be fun to be able to welcome more teams to our space and create a memorable atmosphere for our fans and student-athletes."
BU will be the first-ever Hockey East host for the Women's Ice Breaker and will be the fifth Hockey East school to participate in the tournament. UConn, Holy Cross, Northeastern and Vermont have all previously played in the tournament.
"We're excited to bring the Women's Ice Breaker to Boston University and historic Walter Brown Arena," said Steve Metcalf, Commissioner of Hockey East. "This weekend is always a great showcase for women's hockey."
Fans wishing to purchase a two-day ticket package for the tournament can do so at this link. Individual game tickets will go on sale at a later date. Tickets for the Ice Breaker will not be included in season ticket purchases for BU women's ice hockey.
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