The Rink Live: Great Lakes Invitational carries on timeless tradition in Grand Rapids

Sprung from a conversation six decades ago about the lack of American-born players in the National Hockey League, the Great Lakes Invitational has been delivering ever since.

In the 1960s, Michigan Tech’s legendary coach John MacInnes was discussing the issue with then-general manager of Detroit Olympia Lincoln Cavalieri and Detroit Red Wings scout Jack Paterson and, at some point, a solution materialized.