NHL's Winter Classic
Posted by Louie Drake on Thursday, April 27, 2017 Under: Sports
The National Hockey League has been bringing new fans to the game with outdoor play in what they call the Winter Classic. It is played outdoors in a football or baseball stadium and that allows for extra large crowds compared to the hockey arenas of today. The Winter Classic began in 2008 after the success of the first outdoor regular season game, the Heritage Classic in 2003. This game was the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens celebrating the Oilers twenty fifth anniversary of joining the NHL and was played in front of 57,167 fans. Both Canada and USA television stations broadcast the game and had record audiences also.
So in 2008 the Winter Classic began and it is around New Years and a great Public Relations opportunity for the NHL to grow the game. The Winter Classic has been played every year since 2008 except the lockout year and has been so great, the NHL has also added the Stadium Series so they could capitalize on the concept of outdoor game but not tied to the New Year's timeline.
The Stadium Series began in 2014 and consisted of four games in three venues, and in 2015 only one game was held, while in 2016 two games were held and this year only one game. Fans get excited to watch the games as the hype about the game and the rivalries that play makes it a fun event. Some daily fantasy managers select players from these games to add to the fun of watching the game versus the pure win of the daily competition. These events have help popularize the game and in a collegiate type atmosphere with large crowds, and fun for all.
The NHL All-Star game is another series of events that also draws interest and build the game by having new fans appreciate the elite players and all their skills, but the outdoor NHL games are here to stay and many old and new fans will enjoy them! Unfortunately, there isn’t any type of daily fantasy hockey contests for the All-Star game, but be sure to roster players who are participating in these Winter Classics. Something about this atmosphere and conditions really enhances the game players execute and result in memorable games.
So in 2008 the Winter Classic began and it is around New Years and a great Public Relations opportunity for the NHL to grow the game. The Winter Classic has been played every year since 2008 except the lockout year and has been so great, the NHL has also added the Stadium Series so they could capitalize on the concept of outdoor game but not tied to the New Year's timeline.
The Stadium Series began in 2014 and consisted of four games in three venues, and in 2015 only one game was held, while in 2016 two games were held and this year only one game. Fans get excited to watch the games as the hype about the game and the rivalries that play makes it a fun event. Some daily fantasy managers select players from these games to add to the fun of watching the game versus the pure win of the daily competition. These events have help popularize the game and in a collegiate type atmosphere with large crowds, and fun for all.
The NHL All-Star game is another series of events that also draws interest and build the game by having new fans appreciate the elite players and all their skills, but the outdoor NHL games are here to stay and many old and new fans will enjoy them! Unfortunately, there isn’t any type of daily fantasy hockey contests for the All-Star game, but be sure to roster players who are participating in these Winter Classics. Something about this atmosphere and conditions really enhances the game players execute and result in memorable games.
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