Hockey to be played at Wrigley Field

by JeffHuang | July 16, 2008 at 05:16 pm | 861 views | 22 comments

So it looks like this is going to be an annual event. Regular season NHL games played outdoor in a baseball or football field. I say, why not, it makes great television and it attracts crowds of people. They were hoping to play at Yankee Stadium, but I guess it did not work out. Maybe its just me, but hockey as the last professional sport played at Yankee Stadium just doesn't seem right. Nonetheless, it is now official that the Detroit Red Wings will play the Chicago Blackhawks at New Year's Day 2009 at Wrigley Field.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks are taking hockey back outdoors when they meet New Year's Day 2009 in the home park of the Chicago Cubs.

It will be the NHL's second Winter Classic. Last season in Buffalo, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 before a crowd of 71,217. Snow fell during the game and the Pens won on Sidney Crosby's goal in a shootout.

It will mark the third regular-season outdoor game in NHL history. The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 22, 2003.

The game, beginning at noon Central Time, will be televised nationally on NBC.

The matchup will be the 701st meeting between the Red Wings and Blackhawks — no NHL opponents have played more regular-season games against one another than these two fierce rivals. Red Wings fans often make the trip to Chicago when their team faces the Blackhawks.

"The NHL is delighted to bring its most historic rivalry to one of the most historic venues in sports," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

It should be a great event, but it seems like they are playing with fire if its an annual event. This concept might become stale and lose its luster, and also its an outdoor game in cities that are freezing cold. Weather conditions will also play a part and what will happen if theres a storm, or rains. Players might get hurt and games might be cancelled. It just seems quite risky for all the effort that goes into it. I guess anything goes for the NHL to attract new crowds of people and bigger TV contracts.

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rpshen

at 20:57 on July 16th, 2008

good stuff:

JeffHuang, I like this story. It's good stuff. Nice I like it when they try to mix things up to make the game more interesting. This is great! Much better than the other idea - playing hockey games in a country where noone really watches the game, namely the UK.

gritty49

at 08:27 on July 17th, 2008

Excited to read this news! Attending the game in Buffalo last year was so much fun (even though we lost!)... I'd even consider taking a road trip to experience the next Winter Classic. There is something raw and nostalgic about hockey being played outside, in the cold, with snow falling!

drgraffnburg

at 09:18 on July 17th, 2008

Aerial photo of Wrigley Field on July 5, 2007, during the first of two sold-out concerts given by The Police on their reunion tour. Wrigley Field does not host many events outside of baseball games anymore (used to be the home of the Chicago Bears at one time). So the hockey game will be a particularly special treat.

drgraffnburg has contributed a photo to this story.

jAYDEIGNAN

at 10:24 on July 17th, 2008

Taken from the Press box @ Wrigley Field. I was working as an A2 for Trio Video when I had access to this position.

jAYDEIGNAN has contributed a photo to this story.

MACSURAK

at 10:57 on July 17th, 2008

I took these pictures with my trusty Konica-Minolta Dimage Xg a tiny camera that I've taken all over the world. Because it's not made anymore, I actually got a second one on eBay as a backup. This was a great Chicago night in August. The color pictures show the intense green of the field. The black and white pictures of the stadium have a timeless quality, just like Wrigley Field itself.

MACSURAK has contributed a photo to this story.

Kodetheory

at 12:02 on July 17th, 2008

A view of the sky at Wrigley Field just before the sun set for a night game.

Kodetheory has contributed a photo to this story.

EmilyandHarry

at 12:18 on July 17th, 2008

This was my first time in Wrigleyville, and my husband and I arrived just as a game let out and it was pure pandemonium and fan fanatacism at it's finest. GO CUBBIES!

EmilyandHarry has contributed a photo to this story.

dtkindler

at 12:19 on July 17th, 2008

Judging from the excitement at the United Center when Toews and Kane were there for Kane's Rookie of the Year - hockey is back in Chicago. When is the last time young hockey fans had players like these two who could thrill them.

Playing at Wrigley will generate enormous exposure for how far things have come with the organization in one year. Sorry though, Detroit still sucks.

dtkindler has contributed a photo to this story.

sleestakk

at 12:29 on July 17th, 2008

Cubs vs. Giants, Friday July 11, 2008 from the Ivy League Rooftop with a great view of the game and the field.

sleestakk has contributed a photo to this story.

E.Peoples

at 12:53 on July 17th, 2008

This is Kyle Quincey of the Detroit Red Wings and an unidentified teammate during their Stanley Cup Victory Parade at Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI.

E.Peoples has contributed a photo to this story.

monitorguru

at 13:07 on July 17th, 2008

This photo was taken on our set-up day when I was working for Jimmy Buffett. We did 2 days worth of concerts at Wrigley.

monitorguru has contributed a photo to this story.

TFitch85

at 14:37 on July 17th, 2008

The Chicago Blackhawks are a great team that is getting better with time and will pose a great opponent on New Year's Day against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings.

TFitch85 has contributed a photo to this story.

RUNFAR

at 20:30 on July 17th, 2008

good stuff:

JeffHuang, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Action Alpha

at 20:30 on July 17th, 2008

Can't wait for the 1/1/2009 Winter Classic! It should be a good match up as the Wings actually lost the 2007 - 2008 season series to Chicago 3-5. Of course, 2007-2008 was truly a banner year to be a Detroit Red Wings fan. From the President's Cup to the Stanley Cup, this team earned the awards they won showing in the end the results of their hard work, positive attitudes and humbleness. The icing on the cake was the Stanley Cup Parade held downtown Detroit, MI on Woodward Avenue on Friday June 6, 2008. Throngs of fans showed up to see the Red Wings owners, coaches, scouts and noted dignitaries (Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman included). And, of course, the players and their families and friends who supported them throughout the season were the main attraction. Henrik Zetterberg sported the Conn Smythe trophy and Nick Lidstrom wrapped the parade up with the Stanley Cup. Hockeytown and the Red Wings fans couldn't be happier. It's the summer of Stanley! Follow the Stanley Cup's travels with the Red Wings throughout the summer at: http://fans.nhl.com/members/stanley_cup/blogs

Action Alpha has contributed a photo to this story.

Cubs_fan_26

at 01:15 on July 18th, 2008

Nice article. I'm sure it'll kick butt just like Hockey always does.

Thanks for adding my picutre.

GO CHICAGO!

CnA22

at 09:51 on July 19th, 2008

This was taken on a day when the Cubs were not playing. As you can see there is always something going on. That day they were having tours.

CnA22 has contributed a photo to this story.

CnA22

at 09:55 on July 19th, 2008

Great idea of bringing in the hockey game. Wrigley is a beautiful park year round and the great atmosphere will make it a great event. Plus you don't have to go home after the game. There's plenty to do around Wrigley Field.

pusaja76

at 21:29 on July 20th, 2008

This kind of takes away from the excitement of the outdoor game. Maybe I'm just being partial since I was at the game in Buffalo. It is good for NBC's ratings though & it it VERY fun to watch.

pusaja76 has contributed a photo to this story.