Looking back at the Blackhawks history in outdoor games

The Chicago Blackhawks are heading back to a familiar stadium in the near future.

The team is set to faceoff in their seventh outdoor game as NBC Sports Chicago reported early on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The Blackhawks are heading back to Wrigley Field to host the 2025 Winter Classic, where they will face a familiar opponent in the St. Louis Blues.

The Chicago Blackhawks are heading back outdoors in what will be their seventh outdoor game.

The NHL has three franchises in the Arizona Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers whom have never played outside. The Hawks are now scheduled to faceoff in their seventh outdoor game and host a Winter Classic in the same venue.

Here is a look at the history of the Hawks outdoors:

2009 - Winter Classic at Wrigley Field
2014 - Stadium Series at Soldier Field
2015 - Winter Classic at Nationals Park
2016 - Stadium Series at TCF Bank Stadium
2017 - Winter Classic at Busch Stadium
2019 - Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium
2025 - Winter Classic at Wrigley Field

The Blackhawks are one of the largest markets in the entire NHL. They have a global super star in Connor Bedard, even though he has only played in some 39 NHL games, the 2023 first overall pick is already proven to be a face of the league.

While the Blackhawks have played in six outdoor games already with just one win under their belt, Bedard has not gotten the opportunity to play outside. Pair that with the lowest-rated Winter Classic in league history this past January and the league's decision to return to Chicago makes a little more sense.

The Blackhawks and Blues have actually already faced off in an outdoor Winter Classic. The Blues hosted Chicago on Jan. 2, 2017, beating the Hawks 4-1 at Busch Stadium with some 46,556 fans watching.

With Bedard getting his first crack outdoors, I think this could be a must see event for the NHL. While the Hawks have been outdoors this is a new team with Bedard at the helm, especially with another potential franchise altering player on the horizon this offseason at the NHL Draft.

The Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the league this season. While they might make somewhat of a jump next season, the decision to get Bedard infront of the city of Chicago outdoors might have come just a year too soon as the team still could struggle next season.