I’ve got to say that I’m pretty psyched about the Winter Classic game between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks this upcoming New Years Day. Watching the defending Stanley Cup champions taking on arguably the most exciting young team in the NHL, led by Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews is going to be awesome. I’ve got to admit that I’m not much of a football fan, and sitting on the couch, nursing a hangover and watching US college football bowl games held little joy for me on January 1sts gone by. Now with this new tradition of the Winter Classic game on New Year’s Day there is something for the true Canadian hockey fan to enjoy. Ironically, this whole gimmick is primarily designed to raise interest for the sport in the US market, but personally I think Bettman and his NHL cronies are wasting their time. Going up against college football in the US is an exercise in futility. The only people that will be tuning in to the Winter Classic game south of the border will be those who are already diehard hockey fans. Sorry Bettman et al, you’re not gaining any converts. Thanks from all the Canadian hockey fans though 🙂
If you can’t wait for the Winter Classic game then check out this footage of the rink going up at Wrigley Field courtesy of NHL Network Online. Not exactly riveting footage I’ll grant you, but it is fairly historically significant for the sport of hockey, so check it out: