Miami University and U.S. Bank Arena have been selected to host the 2014 Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Midwest Regional in Cincinnati, the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee announced Thursday morning. One of four NCAA regional championships, the Midwest Regional will take place March 28-29, 2014 in downtown Cincinnati.
“Miami is very honored and excited to be hosting the 2014 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Midwest Regional. Hockey is something the Miami community is very passionate about and we look forward to showcasing that spirit and enthusiasm at the regional in Cincinnati,” said Miami University Interim Director of Athletics Steve Snyder. “In conjunction with U.S. Bank Arena and the Greater Cincinnati Sports Corporation, we plan on providing the student-athletes, coaches and fans the best possible experience and would like to thank the Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee for providing us the opportunity to do so.”
The 2014 regional will be the first NCAA ice hockey regional hosted by Miami or held at U.S. Bank Arena, which did play host to the 1996 NCAA Men’s Division I Ice Hockey Frozen Four, then called Riverfront Coliseum. The venue is also the home of the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones and hosted the Kelley Cup Finals, the ECHL Playoff Championship, in 2008 and 2010.
U.S. Bank Arena has also seen multiple NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament regionals and the 1997 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four take place under its roof. The arena has a capacity of 15,300.
"We are delighted that the NCAA has chosen U.S. Bank Arena to host the 2014 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship Midwest Regional" said U.S. Bank Arena Vice President & General Manager Kristin Ropp. "We look forward to partnering with Miami University and the Greater Cincinnati Sports Corp in bringing this showcase event to the city. Being hockey people, we look to promote and extend the sport on every level."
Miami University and U.S. Bank Arena are hosting the regional in conjunction with the Greater Cincinnati Sports Corp.
“It is an honor and we are happy to be hosting a regional,” Miami head hockey coach Enrico Blasi said. “To bring some of the best college hockey to our town as they compete to play for a national championship will be special. Hockey has a great tradition in Cincinnati and we are honored to be partners in this prestigious event.”
The other three NCAA ice hockey regionals will take place between March 28-30. The West Regional will be held in St. Paul, Minn. at the Xcel Energy Center while the East Regional is in Bridgeport, Conn. at Webster Bank Arena. The Northeast Regional will then take place at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. The winner of each regional advances to the 2014 Frozen Four, which was awarded to the city of Philadelphia last year and will be conducted at the Wells Fargo Center and hosted by ECAC Hockey.
Miami’s hockey team has qualified for seven straight NCAA Tournaments, the third-longest active streak in the nation, and 10 NCAA Tournaments in program history, while twice making the Frozen Four. The RedHawks are currently No. 4 in the country and play at Ferris State Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2-3.
