Friendship Four

Tournament Tickets Science & Discovery Month Sponsors Advisory Board News
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Game Tickets On Sale Now!

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DON'T MISS OUT!

Game Tickets On Sale Now!

Purchase Here Purchase Here
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Check out the Teams!

The Friendship Four returns to The SSE Arena, Belfast on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November 2024 when the University of Notre Dame, Boston University, Harvard University, and Merrimack College go head-to-head for the Belpot Trophy at the home of the Belfast Giants!

Ring the Bell!

Co-authored by Robert Fitzpatrick and Joe Bertagna, ‘Ring the Bell!’ is a brand-new book that explores the history and growth of the Friendship Four college ice hockey tournament. Chronicling the origins and impact of the Friendship Four, which has produced no less than 13 Belfast Giants, the book not only explores the 20 different NCAA universities that have taken part, but also describes how the friendships formed have endured and developed.
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Individual Tickets & Weekend Passes On Sale Now

Friday 29 November

Boston University vs Merrimack College – 2pm

The University of Notre Dame vs Harvard University – 7pm

Saturday 30 November 2024

Third Place Playoff Game – 3pm

Championship Game – 7pm

Individual Tickets & Weekend Passes Available HERE!


Travel Packages

Cara Group Travel continue its long-running partnership with the Friendship Four and Friendship Series to help visitors from North America with their travel needs for the tournament.

Be part of the action and join thousands of fans descending into Belfast in 2024. The Friendship Series (January 2024) and Friendship Four (November 2024) promises high-energy on-ice action and fierce competition between top NCAA men's and women's ice hockey teams!

Don't miss out on the action in Northern Ireland with Cara Group's travel packages for the Friendship Series and Friendship Four.

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Individual Tickets & Weekend Passes Available Now

Purchase Here

Science & Discovery Month

Throughout November, the annual Science & Discovery Month takes place across W5 and W5 LIFE. The month-long series of workshops, shows, and events will promote and celebrate innovation and discovery in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The Friends of the Friendship Four

Founded in 2024, the Friends of the Friendship Four Advisory Board is a new legacy committee dedicated to the growth and development of the Friendship Four ice hockey tournament, with a focus on growing relationships with collegiate ice hockey programmes across the United States.

Reporting to Robert Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer of The Odyssey Trust, and chaired by Martin McDowell, Chair of The Odyssey Trust, the Friends of the Friendship Four Advisory Board is comprised of eight members in total, who will meet twice a year – once in Boston and once at the annual Friendship Four tournament in Belfast.

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Robert Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer of The Odyssey Trust

Robert Fitzpatrick was appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Odyssey Trust Company Ltd (OTC) in 2007 and has since built and developed strong relationships with colleagues in Boston.

Martin McDowell, Chair of The Odyssey Trust

Martin McDowell was appointed Chair of The Odyssey Trust in 2021, having been an external advisor for over 15 years before joining the Board. Martin has also served on the Board of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution for more than seven years.

Ralph Cox, Ambassador of the Friendship Four

Ralph Cox was a two-time All-American ice hockey player at the University of New Hampshire and went on to play professionally, having been picked 122nd overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1977 NHL Draft. Ralph is also a founding member and Principal of Redgate, with over 30 years of real estate experience.

Joe Bertagna, Former Commissioner of Hockey East

Joe Bertagna has spent over half a century in hockey as a player, coach, administrator, and journalist. A goaltender at Harvard University from 1969-73, Joe has spent 50 years coaching goaltenders, including six seasons with the Boston Bruins and with the 1994 U.S. Olympic Team.

Sarah Fraser, Deputy Director of Athletics at Quinnipiac University

Sarah Fraser was an All-American ice hockey player at Dartmouth College in 1998 and served on the U.S. National Team that won a silver medal in the 1999 World Championships.

Sara Stanton, Owner and Managing Director of Cara Group Travel

Sara Stanton is the Owner and Managing Director of New England-based tour operator, Cara Group Travel, which was established In 2012. Specialising in group travel to Europe, Cara Group Travel is the long-standing travel partner of the Friendship Four, helping visitors from North America with all their travel needs.

Steve Hagwell, Former Commissioner of the Eastern College Athletic Conference

Steve Hagwell was named Commissioner by the ECAC Hockey athletics administrator in March 2005 after serving in an acting role in April 2004. In his role, Steve oversaw the overall management and operation of ECAC Hockey, including but not limited to scheduling, finances, officiating, championships, and sponsorship.

Steve Thornton, Group Head of Commercial and Hockey at The Odyssey Trust

Having spent four years at Boston University, Steve Thornton joined the Belfast Giants as a player in 2002 before becoming a player-coach in 2007. From Canada, Steve has become The Trust’s Group Head of Commercial and Hockey, now proudly calling Northern Ireland home.

Friendship Four 2024 Sponsors & Partners