The PrimeLink Great Northern ShootOut History
The PrimeLink Great Northern ShootOut was established in 1998 as an Annual Thanksgiving weekend hockey tournament showcasing four Division III college hockey teams. The Norwich Cadets first hosted the Tournament in 1998 at Kreitzberg Arena, followed by the Plattsburgh Cardinals in 1999 and the Middlebury Panthers in 2000. The Potsdam Bears hosted the end of the first round of the Great Northern ShootOut in 2001. In 2002, the ShootOut embarked on its second tournament revolution, with the 5th Annual PrimeLink Great Northern ShootOut at Norwich University’s Kreitzberg Arena, followed by Plattsburgh State’s Stafford Arena in 2003 and Middlebury College’s Chip Kenyon Arena in 2004. Year 2005 closed out the second round of the PrimeLink Great Northern ShootOut when the Potsdam Bears hosted at Maxcy Hall Ice Arena. With PrimeLink’s tournament a great success, it expanded its reach and increased its competition by creating the position of an invitational team to join the event in 2006. With its first team being the Potsdam Bears, followed by the St. Johns Johnnies, the St. Thomas Tommies, both Minnesota natives, and now in 2009, the Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils. The 2006 ShootOut didn’t disappoint as the Norwich Cadets edged the Plattsburgh Cardinals 4-2 at Kreitzberg Arena in the championship game for their 5th Title. In 2007 the PrimeLink Great Northern ShootOut celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the tournament. The 10th Anniversary ShootOut was hosted by Plattsburgh State at the Stafford Arena. Plattsburgh defeated Norwich 5-3 in the championship game for their 2nd Shootout Title. Middlebury hosted the 2008 ShootOut and for the 3rd year in a row the tournament hosts took the championship as Middlebury defeated Norwich 3-2 for their 4th ShootOut Title.
The 2009 PrimeLink Great Northern Shootout will be hosted by Norwich University at the Kreitzberg Ice Arena located in Northfield, Vermont. Joining Norwich will be SUNY Plattsburgh and Middlebury College. This year we are proud to welcome the University of Wisconsin-Stout from Menomonie, Wisconsin to the Annual ShootOut as the invitational team. The Blue Devils will be joining the Shootout for the first time and will be increasing the competition to make the Thanksgiving weekend tournament even more exciting.
The competitive atmosphere of the tournament and the quality of sportsmanship has remained a constant over the last eleven years. This year will prove to be no different - sustaining its reputation as a highly energized college hockey event for fans and a quality measuring stick for the teams as they enter the season.
With the National Champion coming out of this tournament seven of the eleven years - the tournament is truly a major college hockey attraction and a solid tradition in college hockey.
Coverage has always been outstanding and is hailed by several sports reporters as being “the best tournament in Division III hockey”.
PrimeLink ShootOut Results:
1998 Host: Norwich University - Kreitzberg Arena
Championship Game: Norwich 5, Middlebury 2
1999 Host: Plattsburgh State – Stafford Arena
Championship Game: Plattsburgh 6, Middlebury 3
2000 Host: Middlebury College – Chip Kenyon Arena
Championship Game: Middlebury 3, Potsdam 0
2001 Host: SUNY Potsdam – Maxcy Hall
Championship Game: Norwich 5, Middlebury 1
2002 Host: Norwich University – Kreitzberg Arena
Championship Game: Norwich 5, Potsdam 2
2003 Host: Plattsburgh State – Stafford Arena
Championship Game: Middlebury 5, Plattsburgh 2
2004 Host: Middlebury College – Chip Kenyon Arena
Championship Game: Norwich 2, Middlebury 1
(Shootout decided game)
2005 Host: SUNY Potsdam – Maxcy Hall
Championship Game: Middlebury 3, Plattsburgh 2
2006 Host: Norwich University—Kreitzberg Arena
Championship Game: Norwich 4, Plattsburgh 2
2007 Host: Plattsburgh State – Stafford Arena
Championship Game: Plattsburgh 5, Norwich 3
2008 Host: Middlebury College – Chip Kenyon Arena
Championship Game: Middlebury 3, Norwich 2
2009 Host: Norwich University—Kreitzberg Arena
Championship Game: Norwich 4, Plattsburgh 3
(Shootout decided game)