The Winter Classic was a classic, a true hockey classic. It was perfect. Two original six opponents, and the largest crowd ever to watch a hockey game. To make things even better, it was cold and lightly snowing throughout the game. It was a spectacular outdoor spectacle. It brought back so many memories of playing hockey outdoor as a kid. The NHL could not have written a more perfect scenario. The wind was not terrible, and the ice was as good as can be expected. The game was also a hard-fought battle that ended in a shoot-out. The Toronto Maple Leafs came back, and defeated the home Detroit Red Wings. It was everything a hockey fan could ask for.
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So what is the problem? Well I am worried about next years Winter Classic. I look forward to this event every year, but I am afraid the NHL Stadium Series and Heritage Classic will start to destroy this once a year super event. The NHL is set to launch a four game Stadium Series that will feature outdoor games in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. They will again also have the Heritage Classic in Vancouver this year. That is a total of six outdoor games this season. Is that too many?
I have always been a fan of the Winter Classic, and having the Heritage Classic every other year was also pretty entertaining. Now we have the Stadium Series! Is the NHL going to the money well a little too much, and will the amount of outdoor games kill the spectacle that is the Winter Classic. I sure hope that it does not, but I am a little worried about it. I think that each game of the Stadium Series has a entertaining draw to it. I plan on watching them, but I am not even close to as excited about them. I do question that the casual hockey fan will tune in. I am afraid that the amount of games will destroy the hype of the Winter Classic.
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The television ratings and ticket sales of the upcoming outdoor games will tell us a lot. I understand what the NHL is doing, and I honestly don’t blame them going after the money. I just hope that they are not going to the well to many times in one year. I don’t want the outdoor game well to run dry. I sure enjoy spending my New Years Day watching the Winter Classic.
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.