The National Hockey League (NHL) first held a regular season outdoor ice hockey game in 2003, and since 2008 the league has scheduled at least one per year.
63-690: The 2008 NHL Winter Classic (known via corporate sponsorship as the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic ) was an outdoor ice hockey game played in the National Hockey League (NHL) on January 1, 2008, at Ralph Wilson Stadium near Buffalo, New York . It was the league's inaugural Winter Classic game, and was contested between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres ; the Penguins won, 2–1, in
126-936: A Southern state took place in the 2020 Winter Classic when the Dallas Stars hosted the Nashville Predators at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas . In 2016, the Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers worked out an agreement to play a home-and-home series of outdoors games. The two archrivals played the 2017 Stadium Series game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, and then played the 2019 Stadium Series game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia . The two teams had also discussed playing
189-510: A Zamboni resurfacing the ice, and a faceoff following at center ice. The overtime period was similarly divided into two 2:30 segments. In the shootout, each goaltender was permitted to choose which goal to defend, and they each chose the same goal, towards the west side of the stadium. The teams wore vintage jerseys for the event, with the Penguins wearing powder blue jerseys for the first time since 1973 . The Sabres wore their old white jerseys, which they wore from 1978 to 1996 . The game
252-663: A shootout on a goal by captain Sidney Crosby . The event was the NHL's second outdoor regular season game (following the 2003 Heritage Classic in Edmonton , Alberta , Canada), and the first outdoor regular season professional ice hockey game to be played in the United States. Due to the snowy conditions, the game was at the time colloquially referred to as the "Ice Bowl" by residents of the area and Sabres' fans. The event
315-482: A constructed perch on the penalty box side of the rink, while Darren Pang stood between-the-benches. Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson called the game in the broadcast booth for CBC , with Greg Millen between-the-benches. Doug Allen sang the Canadian national anthem ( O Canada ) and Irish tenor Ronan Tynan performed " God Bless America " before the game. The U.S. national anthem (" The Star-Spangled Banner ")
378-424: A nationwide radio broadcast of the game, as did each team's local announcing team for local networks ( Rick Jeanneret and Harry Neale for Buffalo , Mike Lange , Paul Steigerwald , and Phil Bourque for Pittsburgh ). NBC had an airplane flying overhead to provide bird's-eye views of the rink, including a live webstream from its camera throughout the game. NBC announcers Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk stood in
441-572: A neutral site game at Beaver Stadium at State College, Pennsylvania , but this did not materialize, due mainly to concerns about Beaver Stadium's plumbing being unable to withstand an event in winter On March 6, 2016, the NHL officially announced that the Jets will host the Oilers in the 2016 Heritage Classic during the 2016–17 NHL season, held in October. To celebrate the NHL's 100th year in 2017,
504-587: A one-year, one-way contract. During the 2012 NHL lockout Hall was signed to his second European team on a temporary contract with EV Ravensburg Tower Stars of the German 2nd Bundesliga . Hall led the team in his tenure with the Tower Stars with 15 points in 17 games before returning to the Lightning for the shortened 2012–13 season. Twenty games into the season, Hall was placed on waivers and claimed by
567-714: A season on Broadway, and was dealt to the Minnesota Wild for Pascal Dupuis in February 2007. On October 1, 2007 he signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins and contributed during the Penguins run to the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals , where they lost in six games to the Detroit Red Wings . He left the Penguins following the season, signing a three-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning worth $ 1.8-million. Hall spent most of
630-412: A set of vintage-styled pads but did not play. Weather for the game was appropriate to the winter setting it was intended to evoke, with game-time temperatures around the freezing mark and snow falling for much of the time, especially during the third period. The weather conditions made play somewhat more difficult for players but were well received by fans. The Penguins registered 25 shots on goal , and
693-540: A two-game series, the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe , to function as the replacement for the cancelled outdoor games of the 2020–21 season. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic , fans would not be allowed at the games and instead the games would serve as a made-for-television event intended to simulate pond hockey . The NHL outdoor games have additional weather-related rules, including: The 2008 NHL Winter Classic
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#1732787006387756-471: The 103rd Grey Cup being held at the stadium on November 29. In January 2015, the Jets announced that they could not reach an agreement to finalize a date for the Heritage Classic during the 2015–16 season and that they were now looking for a new date during the 2016–17 season. On March 6, 2016, the NHL officially announced that the Jets would host the Oilers in the 2016 Heritage Classic during
819-503: The 2009–10 season with the Lightning's AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals . In the following 2010–11 season, under new coach Guy Boucher , Hall played in all 82 games with the Lightning, recording seven goals and 18 points. He led the Lightning in face-off percentage with 55 percent and ranked fourth overall with 360 face-offs won. Hall also led the team with 152 hits and was third among forwards with 59 blocked shots. He
882-732: The Boston Bruins went on a postseason barnstorm of Atlantic Canada in April 1956, which included a stop in Bay Roberts , Newfoundland . On April 9, 1956, the Bruins played an exhibition game against teams from the Conception Bay North Hockey League on an outdoor artificial ice surface, under similar rules to those of the 1954 prison match. Four teams each played one period against the Bruins who dominated
945-549: The Carolina Hurricanes on March 16, 2013. On April 2, 2013, Hall was traded back to the Lightning along with a 7th-round draft pick for Marc-André Bergeron . The Lightning promptly placed him on waivers and he was claimed by the Philadelphia Flyers on April 3. Hall signed a one-year, $ 600,000 contract with the Flyers on July 4, 2013. On August 2, 2014, Hall signed a one-year contract with HC Ambri-Piotta of
1008-776: The Heritage Classic , Winter Classic , and Stadium Series . The 2003 Heritage Classic between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens was the first outdoor regular season game in NHL history. The Heritage Classic has since been held infrequently in football stadiums in Canada, featuring match-ups solely between Canadian teams, until the Buffalo Sabres make their appearance in the 2022 Heritage Classic . The annual Winter Classic, held on New Year's Day in football or baseball stadiums near NHL home markets in
1071-577: The Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers . The process of keeping the ice cool in the desert heat required three times as much coolant as a standard NHL rink. There were few problems despite temperatures that reached 95 °F (35 °C) during the day and a game time temperature of 80 °F (27 °C). During the contest grasshoppers began to jump onto the ice, where they would freeze or drown in water used to maintain
1134-637: The Midwest and Northeast United States. That changed in the 2014 Stadium Series when the Los Angeles Kings became the first West Coast team to host a regular season outdoor game, facing their in-city rival Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on January 25. The San Jose Sharks followed suit, hosting their archrival Kings in the 2015 NHL Stadium Series at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara . The first outdoor game to take place in
1197-767: The National League (NL), playing three seasons for HC Ambrì-Piotta . Hall was a member of the United States National Development Team Program, and twice represented the United States at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships , in 1999 and 2000. He was selected 52nd overall by the Nashville Predators in the second round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft . He played four years with the Michigan State Spartans and
1260-554: The Ottawa Senators to commemorate the league's first game , having taken place exactly 100 years before, between the same contenders. The four teams involved in said honorific matches constitute four of the league's Original Six members. Then in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the league held the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe , two outdoor games played without spectators . Prior to 2003, NHL teams had been involved in at least three outdoor exhibitions. Two of these came in
1323-610: The Toronto Maple Leafs ' appearances in both the 2014 Winter Classic and the 2018 Stadium Series . To celebrate the NHL's 100 year anniversary in 2017, the league scheduled two special outdoor games: the NHL Centennial Classic between Detroit and Toronto on January 1 (through season 2016–2017) to kick off the year, and then the NHL 100 Classic on December 16 (during 2017–2018 season) between Montreal and
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#17327870063871386-411: The U.S. Naval Academy was announced, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that it was the start of a unique partnership with the U.S. military in which the league plans to host outdoor games at military service academies around the United States. The 2020 NHL Stadium Series was held at Falcon Stadium at the U.S. Air Force Academy on February 15, 2020. In 2021, the NHL announced the creation of
1449-704: The "away" team. This is to maintain the property tax-exempt status of the Rangers' home arena, Madison Square Garden (MSG). The tax exemption stipulates that it only applies if the Rangers do not "cease playing" home games at MSG, generally interpreted as playing any "home" game outside of MSG. By designating the Rangers as the "away" team and Buffalo as the "home" team in the 2018 Winter Classic at Citi Field in New York City, it would save MSG from paying more than $ 40 million in property taxes. Up until 2013, NHL's outdoor games were held exclusively in Canada and in
1512-418: The 1950s and were effectively informal scrimmages; in 1954, the Detroit Red Wings visited Marquette Branch Prison and played a match against the prison inmates in a fenced-off, open air ice rink, while in 1956, the Boston Bruins played a game against several local teams in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland . In neither case was a formal game structure maintained or score kept, as the NHL teams hopelessly outmatched
1575-541: The 2016–17 NHL season, held in October. For the 2020–21 season , the 2021 NHL Winter Classic was originally planned to take place at Target Field between the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild , and the Carolina Hurricanes were scheduled to host a Stadium Series game at Carter–Finley Stadium on February 20, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic delaying the conclusion of the previous season to September and postponing
1638-554: The Hurricanes asked the league to postpone their outdoor game for another year to at least the 2022–23 season "to assure a safe environment." The Hurricanes would become the first warm-climate Eastern Conference team to host an outdoor game. Bolded teams denote winners ( SO ) † Due to rain being forecast, the BC Place retractable roof was kept closed during the game. § The game was originally scheduled for 2021, but it
1701-593: The NHL to host a fourth Heritage Classic at Investors Group Field , the home of the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers , which they hoped to hold during the team's fifth anniversary in 2015–16 . However, a disagreement occurred between the NHL and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers over the game's exact date: the league wanted it held in December 2015 while the football team became concerned that this date was too close to
1764-578: The Penguins and their AHL predecessors, the Pittsburgh Hornets , whom the Penguins replaced upon the 1967 NHL expansion . The roof was permanently closed after 1994 when the Penguins replaced the center scoreboard. The first outdoor game between two NHL teams (and the first played to completion) was an official pre-season match-up on September 27, 1991. The game took place in the parking lot of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas , and featured
1827-528: The Pirates club, was allegedly organized as a way for Red Wings manager Jack Adams to make good with two convicted mafia members incarcerated at the prison. By the end of the first period alone, the Red Wings had amassed an 18–0 score against the prisoners; score keeping was abandoned after that point and the rest of the game effectively became an informal scrimmage. Two years after the 1954 prison match,
1890-591: The Sabres had 37, dominating the second and overtime periods, leading those 14–2 and 7–0, respectively. Each goalie allowed one goal in playing time not including the shootout, giving Conklin 36 saves for the Penguins, and Miller 24 for the Sabres. Due to the success of the Winter Classic and its predecessor, outdoor games have been held during subsequent seasons, and the Winter Classic has become an annual NHL tradition. The next Winter Classic
1953-432: The Sabres three years later, was among those in attendance. Also in attendance was game show host Pat Sajak , who spoke positively of his experience (although admitting that Ralph Wilson Stadium's size was somewhat of a distraction from the game itself). The game was televised in the United States on NBC and in Canada on CBC and RDS . The game garnered a 2.2 rating and drew 3.75 million viewers. Westwood One carried
2008 NHL Winter Classic - Misplaced Pages Continue
2016-591: The Swiss National League A . He prematurely agreed to a two-year contract extension on December 24, 2014, making him a Bianco-Blu through the end of the 2016-17 season . He finished his first season in Switzerland with 14 goals and 18 assists in 50 games. He helped the team to stay in the NLA tallying 5 points in 11 games in the relegation round. In the summer of 2015, he was named alternate captain of
2079-622: The United States, began with the 2008 game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres. The NHL then started the Stadium Series in 2014 for additional outdoor games in the United States. The number of Stadium Series games has varied per season (four in 2014, only one in 2015, two in 2016, and one per season since 2017). Both the Winter Classic and the Stadium series featured match-ups solely between American teams until
2142-462: The Winter Classic as an annual NHL tradition. Construction of the outdoor rink began on December 24, the day after the Buffalo Bills played their last home game of the 2007 NFL season . It was built between the 16-yard lines of the football field, under the supervision of NHL facilities operations manager Dan Craig. Initially, six inches (150 mm) of the nine-inch (230 mm) crown of
2205-568: The arena. Italics indicate a future outdoor game. [REDACTED] Media related to NHL outdoor games at Wikimedia Commons Adam Hall Adam John Hall (born August 14, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey player. A second round selection of the Nashville Predators in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft , Hall played in the National Hockey League for the Nashville Predators , New York Rangers , Minnesota Wild , Pittsburgh Penguins , Tampa Bay Lightning , Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers . He finished his career in
2268-480: The end of May 2013, the NHL had scheduled a record six outdoor NHL games for the 2013–14 season: one Winter Classic, one Heritage Classic, and four Stadium Series games. In scheduling outdoor games in the New York metropolitan area that feature the New York Rangers (first occurring during two of the four 2014 Stadium Series games , and subsequently the 2018 Winter Classic ), the team has always been designated as
2331-500: The face of controversy about the quickness of ticket sales, an official spokesperson for the Sabres called it "a testament to how popular the Sabres are and how many people want to be part of the event." However, many Penguins fans were left out by not having the opportunity to purchase the tickets after they were made available to the city hosting the event, and they were frustrated by the lack of exclusivity for Penguins season-ticket holders. Terrence Pegula , who would go on to purchase
2394-442: The football field had to be leveled using styrofoam insulation. On top of the newly created flat surface, three inches (75 mm) of plywood with plastic covering were laid as a base for the necessary piping. At the same time the boards were being put in place, an inch of sand was spread amongst the piping and was then wet by a combination of hoses and timely rain so it could freeze into a rink overnight and be painted four days before
2457-484: The game. Another ¾ of an inch of ice was added to complete the playing surface. After this experience, Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the League would like more time to prepare the site for the next outdoor game. He also wanted to ensure that not too many outdoor games are held so the event can remain special. The game was attended by 71,217 people, setting an NHL attendance record. The former NHL record of 57,167
2520-559: The game. Only one goal was scored on Terry Sawchuk by the local teams. During their time at the Civic Arena , the Pittsburgh Penguins could have theoretically hosted an outdoor NHL game due to the arena having a retractable roof . (The arena was originally built for the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera , who only stayed at the arena until 1973.) However, the roof was always closed during hockey games with both
2583-506: The genesis of the 2003 event was the " Cold War " outdoor game played two years prior between Michigan State University and the University of Michigan . In 2005, NBC Sports Executive VP Jon Miller then pitched the concept an annual outdoor game as a television event to the NHL, "but they didn't find the concept workable." In December 2006, Miller found an ally in then-league Executive VP/Business & Media John Collins, who embraced
2008 NHL Winter Classic - Misplaced Pages Continue
2646-535: The hosts. In 1991, the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers played a pre-season game outside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, in the first officially sanctioned outdoor NHL contest. The NHL's outdoor series have proven wildly popular with fans and have led to numerous attendance records. The 2003 Heritage Classic drew 57,167 fans, a league record that stood until 71,217 fans in Buffalo set another NHL record in
2709-582: The ice, and by the end of the second period the ice was littered with the bugs. Nearly 14,000 fans watched the Kings defeat the Rangers 5–2. From 1997 to 2016, the Los Angeles Kings returned to Las Vegas to play an annual indoors preseason game as part of the Frozen Fury series. In 2016, Las Vegas obtained its own NHL franchise and the fury series was moved to Salt Lake City, Utah , before it
2772-453: The ice. Sunlight also adversely affected the ice conditions of the first game of the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe , causing the start of the second period to be delayed for several hours. The start time of the second Lake Tahoe game was also delayed because of the conditions. As of January 2024: The Dallas Stars had originally been scheduled to play a stadium game at Houston 's Reliant Stadium during their 2011 pre-season , but this game
2835-589: The idea. This led to the inaugural Winter Classic game on January 1, 2008, with the Pittsburgh Penguins visiting the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium . On May 1, 2013, the NHL announced that the Chicago Blackhawks would host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field in Chicago on March 1, 2014, as part of a new series of outdoor games called the NHL Stadium Series . By
2898-558: The inaugural Winter Classic in 2008. The 2014 Winter Classic, between Toronto and the Detroit Red Wings drew 105,491 fans, the current NHL record. The first outdoor game on record to feature an NHL team was attempted on February 2, 1954. The Detroit Red Wings played an exhibition game on an outdoor ice surface, in 21 °F (−6 °C) degree weather, against the Marquette Pirates, an athletic club composed of inmates at Michigan 's Marquette Branch Prison . The game, and
2961-591: The introduction of the NHL Stadium Series in 2014 . Since the inaugural Winter Classic, the NHL has held 34 additional outdoor games, which included the Winter Classic, the Stadium Series and the Heritage Classic, as well as one-off events like the Centennial Classic , NHL 100 Classic and NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe games. 42°46′26″N 78°47′13″W / 42.774°N 78.787°W / 42.774; -78.787 NHL outdoor games The NHL primarily uses three brands for outdoor games:
3024-533: The league held two special outdoor games. The first, branded as the Centennial Classic , between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs , was held on January 1 (during the 2016–17 NHL season) to kick off the year. The second, branded as the NHL 100 Classic , was held on December 16 (during the 2017–18 season) between the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators . When the 2018 NHL Stadium Series at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium at
3087-514: The start of a shortened 2020–21 season to January, as well as uncertainty about fan attendance because of local health restrictions, the two events were postponed to 2022 at the earliest; an opponent for the Hurricanes was not yet determined at the time the postponement was made. On June 28, 2021, the league confirmed that the Blues and the Wild would play in the 2022 Winter Classic at Target Field, but
3150-513: The team's radio coverage. The Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team played a pre-game at the HSBC Arena as part of the house party festivities. Buffalo Sabres anthem singer Doug Allen sang the Canadian national anthem , as is customary at Sabres home games. Irish tenor Ronan Tynan performed " God Bless America " before the game at the stadium. The success of the event has led to subsequent outdoor hockey games being scheduled and helped establish
3213-471: The team. In three seasons with the team, he played a total of 159 games, tallying 40 goals and 46 assists. On July 4, 2017, Hall announced his retirement from professional hockey. Hall grew up in Kalamazoo , MI but ultimately graduated from Pioneer High School (Ann Arbor, Michigan) . While at Michigan State University Hall was a finance major. Since retiring from professional hockey, he has entered into
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#17327870063873276-436: The then all-time number of 74,554, which was set in " The Cold War " between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University on October 6, 2001. Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller and Penguins forward Adam Hall both played for Michigan State in that game. Approximately 41,000 tickets to the game were made available to the general public, selling out within 30 minutes of being made available on September 18, 2007. In
3339-567: Was Tampa Bay's nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy after battling his way back to the NHL. He was one of only four Bolts to play in all 82 games. The 30-year-old veteran also played in all 18 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Lightning as they made it to within one game of the Stanley Cup Finals. He recorded a goal and five points during the postseason. On the 29th of June, Hall was re-signed to
3402-465: Was canceled altogether due to the arrival of the Utah Hockey Club in 2024. The first regular season outdoor game in the history of the NHL took place on November 22, 2003, at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium , when the Edmonton Oilers played the Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 Heritage Classic . The Oilers had suggested the idea of hosting an outdoor game as early as the mid-1980s, but
3465-469: Was held on January 1, 2009, at Wrigley Field in Chicago , matching the Detroit Red Wings against the Chicago Blackhawks . Winter Classics have been held in every year since, except for 2013, which was interrupted by the 2012–2013 NHL lockout . Five Heritage Classics, one in 2011 , one in 2014 , one in 2016 , one in 2019 and one in 2022 have been held since, with a sixth being planned for 2023 . The league expanded its offerings of outdoor games with
3528-589: Was named to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association 's Second All-Star Team in 2000. He played his first NHL game for the Nashville Predators in 2001–02 after graduating from Michigan State. He scored 16 goals and 12 assists in 2002–03 , his rookie season. After four seasons with the Predators, he was dealt to the New York Rangers in exchange for Dominic Moore prior to the 2006–07 NHL season . Hall played only half
3591-403: Was not performed. A military flyover was conducted by four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. The NHL also announced that several rule changes were in effect for this game, to nullify advantages to either team due to the weather conditions. The teams switched ends halfway through the third period. Play was interrupted exactly at the 10:00 minute mark, similar to the end of a period with a horn sounding,
3654-483: Was part of the regular 2007–08 NHL season schedule, replacing a game that would have been held at HSBC Arena , the Sabres' regular home. In addition, the goaltenders also dressed in vintage style, with Ty Conklin and Ryan Miller both wearing retro-painted masks. Ryan Miller also wore a hockey sock on top of his mask, which he changed during each intermission so he could auction all three of them off for charity along with his mask. Penguins backup Dany Sabourin wore
3717-410: Was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This table excludes exhibition games with non-NHL opponents (such as those in 1954 and 1956) and pre-season games (such as the one in 1991). ‡ The Rangers were designated as the visiting team for the three games held in New York City to comply with a property tax exemption for Madison Square Garden that requires the Rangers to play all of their home games at
3780-408: Was set at the Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers in Edmonton, Alberta , on November 22, 2003. Georges Laraque and Ty Conklin are the only two players who have played in both the Heritage Classic and Winter Classic games. They both played for the Oilers and Penguins, respectively, for each game. While it was the record for a professional game, it fell short of
3843-443: Was sponsored by AMP Energy , and was televised in the United States on NBC and in Canada on CBC and RDS . The game, which was played at a temporary ice rink built on the football field, set an NHL attendance record of 71,217. The Sabres held a Winter Classic "house party" at HSBC Arena (now KeyBank Center) during the game where another 11,000 fans saw the game shown live on the arena's video scoreboard with synched-up audio from
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#17327870063873906-409: Was the first game to use "hard whistle" stoppages during the third period and overtime, and to have the teams defend the same goal during the shootout. The 2011 NHL Winter Classic was delayed from its original 1:00 p.m. start time to 8:00 p.m. due to warm temperatures and rain in the forecast. The start time of the 2012 NHL Winter Classic was also delayed two hours due to the sun hitting
3969-465: Was ultimately cancelled. The 2013 NHL Winter Classic was originally scheduled to be contested at Michigan Stadium between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs . Due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout resulting in an abbreviated 2012–13 season , this Winter Classic matchup at Michigan Stadium was postponed and would be held during the following season instead. The Winnipeg Jets announced in 2013 that they had reached an agreement with
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