The Winter Classic

The Winter Classic is the one event that seems to garner the most interest from casual hockey fans on both sides of the boarders, and it gets a ton of interest from the hardcore side as well; and for good reason.   Hosting a Winter Classic somewhat resembles hosting a Superbowl.  (Okay there are no trophies handed out and of course it is nowhere near as big) but it is often a weeklong festival celebrating the NHL and the roots of hockey. The Winter Classic generates mega money for the NHL and NHLPA and it is great for generating exposure for the NHL and for hockey in general.

Living in Calgary I got to experience this first hand last year for the Heritage Classic.  Buzz began building in what seemed like the summer when the NHL announced it and continued right up until game day.  In the week leading up to the game there were all kinds of events around the city and then there was the Alumni Game (Which by the way was the coldest sporting event I have ever been to), and of course the Heritage Classic Game itself.  I know for Calgary it was a tremendous event and the whole city bought into it even people who don’t watch hockey.  The success of these outdoor games is not just relegated to one city, rather it seems every city that has hosted has done a fantastic job and it creates a tremendous interest in the local team.

It is expected that on Monday the NHL will finally announce that this year’s Winter Classic is going to be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia between the rebuilt Flyers and the New York Rangers.  On paper it might not have the same intrigue as last year’s Penguins-Capitals match-up and it probably won’t have the same long lasting effect on the game.  (Don’t forget Sidney Crosby’s last game last year was the Winter Classic.)  But it will still be a great event for the NHL and the city of Philadelphia.

Another difference this year is the date for the game.  It is expected the game will be January 2^nd not on New Year’s Day like every other Winter Classic.  That is due to the conflict between the NHL and NFL schedules.  The NFL’s final Sunday is one January 1^st this year.  It will be interesting to see how this affects ratings for the game.  The NHL normally goes up against college bowl games on New Year’s Day and it has done quite well.  This year the game will be on a Monday and will not have any major competition other than the Monday Night Game, but being on a Monday and the day after New Years could have an effect on TV ratings.

Here is a quick breakdown of the other Winter Classic Games:

Pittsburgh wins 2-1(SO)71,2172008Wrigley Field in ChicagoChicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Wins 6-440,8182009Fenway Park in BostonBoston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Boston Wins 2-1(OT)38,1122010Heinz Field in PittsburghPittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals

Washington wins 3-168,1112011Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia *Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York RangersN/A2012*As of September 24^th 2011 the 2012 Winter Classic is unconfirmed but widely speculated.  All numbers from wikipedia.  Chart by Michael Geib

Now the Winter Classic has proven to be a tremendous success in for the NHL.  Television ratings are very high for the games and every game has sold out.  With that said there is a potential for the game to slowly lose some of its lustre.  After all what makes it so special is the fact it is outdoors and returns to the roots of hockey.  But with every new Winter Classic it does start to lose a little bit of novelty.  Many people have suggested the NHL should make it semi-annual or even once every three years.  The prevailing idea is that by making it semi annual it would be able to retain its uniqueness.

Personally I think that the NHL should make the Winter Classic Semi-Annual.  I think if they made it once every two years it would be able to retain some of its uniqueness.  I’m not saying that playing every year is bad I just think it would help protect it and keep it from becoming ordinary.   I also think that the NHL needs to take a look at playing it in Non-NHL markets.  Now here me out on this, one of the things that makes the game so special is that fact that it gets played in big stadiums in the dead of winter.  My favourite Winter Classics were the games in Chicago and Boston because those games were played at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park.  There have been many people that have suggested playing in Non-NHL markets.  Personally I would love to see a game in Michigan Stadium.  Imagine it the Red Wings and maybe the Avalanche or Leafs playing in Ann Arbour New Years Day, or playing a game on the Frozen Tundra at Lambeu Field in Green Bay, there have even been people who have even suggested playing the game in Central Park.

In my opinion the game should be about more than just generating the highest possible gate revenue.  I think it is about returning to the roots of the game and by playing in a place like Green Bay or Ann Arbour or even Central Park it would add to the mystique and generate a lot more attention for the NHL.

Even if the NHL keeps the annual format and never plays in any of those sites the Winter Classic is still a great event and a highlight on almost every hockey fans schedule.  It is about celebrating the roots of the game and playing in magnificent venues.