2016 Mariucci Classic to showcase hockey from several regions

The 26th annual Mariucci Classic will include Alabama Huntsville, Massachusetts and Mercyhurst in the four-team field with the Gophers.

The tournament will be played before the New Year this season, Dec. 30-31, at Mariucci Arena.

The Gophers are undefeated (9-0-0) all-time against this year’s field. Massachusetts will make its third appearance in the Mariucci Classic, Alabama Huntsville is making its second appearance, and Mercyhurst, located in Pennsylvania, will play in the tournament for the first time.

Matchups and game times will be decided at a later date. The rest of the Gophers’ 2016-2017 schedule has yet to be released.

The Gophers have 13 Mariucci Classic titles, but have won only three of the last nine tournaments. Their last title was in 2012, the last time Alabama Huntsville was in the field. Harvard beat the Gophers in last year’s championship game. The Gophers won eight straight Mariucci Classic titles from 1999 to 2006.

Earlier this week, forward Joey Marooney signed his National Letter of Intent to play with the Gophers. Marooney, a Chaska, Minn., native, totaled 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists) with the Green Bay Gamblers this season in the United States Hockey League. He previously played four seasons at Holy Family where he compiled 64 goals and 89 assists.