NEW YORK — The Kelley-Harkness Cup will be up for grabs this fall as Red Hot Hockey returns to Madison Square Garden for an eighth edition on Saturday, Nov. 27, Boston University Director of Athletics Drew Marrochello and Cornell University's Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education Andy Noel 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 may be purchased at msg.com.. 
 
All guests age 12 and older are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (this means having at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending). MSG's comprehensive COVID-19 guidelines, including those regarding children under 12, can be found here.
 
"I am so pleased for our athletes, coaching staff and alumni that we will be returning to New York and Madison Square Garden to continue the storied rivalry between such traditionally strong programs," said Noel. "Red Hot Hockey is an event that captures the imagination of the broad alumni base that Cornell enjoys in metro New York. Please circle on your calendar the Saturday after Thanksgiving and join our many alumni, parents and friends who already include this great event as part of their holiday tradition. I look forward to Coach Schafer, his staff and team waging another battle on the ice against the Terriers."
 
"To reach an eighth edition of this fantastic event is a testament to both schools and the great staff at Madison Square Garden," said Marrochello. "It started out as a way to renew the rivalry and it's done that and much more. Our alumni and fans have made this a special tradition and we can't wait to create another great atmosphere in New York City with two talented teams on the ice."
 
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 two, including a 2-0 decision in 2019 for the first shutout in the event's history. 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 eight years ago.    
 
The BU-Cornell rivalry began on Jan. 10, 1925, with a 7-2 victory by the Terriers, and includes two match-ups 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.  
  
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).  
 
"It goes without saying that this game is one of the biggest stages our guys get to play on," said BU head coach Albie O'Connell. "We obviously get the opportunity to play in the Beanpot each season but having this only every other year really heightens the hype around it. With its storied history, it's so important to keep this great rivalry going and we can't wait to see the sea of red at MSG once again."
 
"This game at Madison Square Garden is the premier event for college hockey," said Cornell head coach Mike Schafer. "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."