NHL To host an Outdoor Hockey Game

[Guest redbaron51]

NHL approves outdoor game

 

 

Canadian Press

 

 

 

6/3/2003

 

EDMONTON (CP) - The Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens will play an outdoor game at Commonwealth Stadium in November that could draw more than 55,000 fans.

 

 

 

The Oilers officially made the announcement during a news conference at the stadium on Tuesday. The game, which has been titled "the Heritage Classic", will be the centrepiece of a year-long celebration commemorating the Oilers 25 seasons in the NHL. The date also marks the 86th anniversary of the National Hockey League, which was formed in Montreal on Nov. 22, 1917.

 

 

 

"The turf looks so beautiful out there if you can just look outdoors for a bit and imagine a beautiful white ice surface and the building full, it will be another great moment that Edmonton can be proud of," said Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe.

 

 

 

CBC will broadcast the game on Hockey Night in Canada.

 

 

 

An afternoon old-timers' game that will feature Wayne Gretzky is also on the schedule. Gretzky had said in the past he wasn't interested in suiting up in old-timers' games but when Lowe, a former Oilers teammate, came calling Gretzky couldn't say no. He also liked the idea of putting on the Edmonton sweater again.

 

 

 

"My wife and kids will get finally get to see me play in an Oilers uniform," Gretzky said in a videotaped message at Tuesday's news conference.

 

 

 

Gretzky will lead a team of Oilers alumni against Guy Lafleur and a team of Canadiens alumni. The game will mark the first time Gretzky has played publically since his retirement.

 

 

 

Public ticket sales will begin Sept. 15 while season-ticket holders will have a chance to purchase tickets earlier.

 

 

 

The idea for the novel game took root after Michigan State and the University of Michigan drew 74,554 spectators to Spartan football stadium on Oct. 6, 2001.

[Guest MaxPower27]

I wish I could go...

[Guest HungryJack]

Oh, I'll be up from calgary to see that.

 

They should have had a battle of Alberta outdoors.

[Guest The Tino Standard]

I hope the game is on ESPN or ABC here in the States. I'm a casual hockey viewer, but I'd definitely watch that if for no other reason than to see an outdoor hockey game on TV. That's pretty cool.

[Guest treble charged]

I'm more excited about the oldtimer's game, especially since Gretzky's playing in it.

[Guest MaxPower27]

I'm more excited about the oldtimer's game, especially since Gretzky's playing in it.

That looks cool too.

 

*wishes he lived near Edmonton*

[Guest starvenger]

The idea for the novel game took root after Michigan State and the University of Michigan drew 74,554 spectators to Spartan football stadium on Oct. 6, 2001.

IIRC, that game almost didn't happen because it was actually rather warm that day. Hopefully that won't happen in Edmonton...

[Guest redbaron51]

Edmonton + November=90% Chance it will happen

[Guest Vern Gagne]

This is a great idea. Michigan and Michigan St. played at Spartan Stadium in front of like 70,00 a few years back.

[Guest nl5xsk1]

I hope the game is on ESPN or ABC here in the States. I'm a casual hockey viewer, but I'd definitely watch that if for no other reason than to see an outdoor hockey game on TV. That's pretty cool.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's highly unlikely that this will get more than 30 seconds on sportscenter, let alone be covered by ESPN or ABC.

 

ABC only plays 2-4 matinee games a season - all of which are in March or April - and nothing on Saturday nights ... ESPN will be too busy fellating the NBA to play a hockey game. But, on the bright side, it's an excuse to go to a sportsbar for a drink or 10.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

Edmonton + November=90% Chance it will happen

You never know with global warming.

 

Sounds like an interesting idea, and I hope it works out for all parties involved...

[Guest The Tino Standard]

ABC most likely wouldn't carry it, but I don't see why ESPN wouldn't. They split their NBA coverage with TNT, meaning the hockey game could very likely fall on a day ESPN doesn't even show basketball. Plus, you also have ESPN2, so there's no reason you couldn't show both at the same time.

[Guest nl5xsk1]

ABC most likely wouldn't carry it, but I don't see why ESPN wouldn't. They split their NBA coverage with TNT, meaning the hockey game could very likely fall on a day ESPN doesn't even show basketball. Plus, you also have ESPN2, so there's no reason you couldn't show both at the same time.

ESPN doesn't play hockey games on Saturday night ... they played a total of 6 Saturdays this entire season (2 in March, 3 in April, 1 in May) and each of these were on ESPN2 ... ESPN didn't play any games on Saturdays. The only chance of ESPN playing this game is because of the fact that it's played outdoors makes it unusual, and the fact that it's between 2 Canadian teams limits the curiosity factor in the US. Regardless if the network is playing the NBA or not, it won't be playing the hockey game.

[Guest Lightning Flik]

Edmonton + November=90% Chance it will happen

You never know with global warming.

 

Sounds like an interesting idea, and I hope it works out for all parties involved...

Firstly, with the way we here in Edmonton have been having winters lately, slight chance we might have problems.

 

And second I hope it's decent and not ice cold when November hits. Ice cold and you start running into problems again of trying to keep everyone warm. Yet, as I said, we've been having warm winters so ... *shrugs*

 

I'm more excited about the oldtimer's game, especially since Gretzky's playing in it.

That looks cool too.

 

*wishes he lived near Edmonton*

 

You better fucking believe that I'm going to be there~! Although, I wonder what the cost for that would be. Probably running at 60$ a ticket I'd say? And I ain't talking decent seats. More like cheap seats. After all, you'd get tickets to watch BOTH games, and I know for one, that any reasonable company would do.