District to have game in ‘two-to-three years’
As expected, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced during a Friday news conference that the Capitals will play the Pittsburgh Penguins in the league’s annual Winter Classic on Jan 1, 2011.
Bettman then dropped some unexpected news during his state-of-the NHL address to reporters in Chicago on the eve of the Stanley Cup final. Washington will also host a Winter Classic of its own in “the next two-to-three years.” Bettman’s remarks were broadcast on NHL Network.
“I was really gratified when our commissioner today announced that there will be a game played here in Washington, D.C.,” said Caps owner Ted Leonsis on the team’s official Web site. “I think our fan base has earned that right. I think that our franchise has arrived as one of the best in professional hockey and I know our fans will really embrace it. I don’t think there’s any city that’s more beautiful and more deserving.”
The 2011 Winter Classic will be played at Heinz Field, home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers. The Penguins, defending Stanley Cup champions, participated in the inaugural Winter Classic in Buffalo on Jan. 1, 2008. The outdoor event has become a ratings winner for a sport that has long trailed the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA in drawing television viewers and money. This year’s Winter Classic featured the Flyers and the Boston Bruins at historic Fenway Park. Wrigley Field in Chicago hosted it the year before.
“In doing our due diligence for this game, we could not help but be impressed with the fan interest and the possibilities in Washington D.C.,” Bettman said. “And so our plan is to do an outdoor game in Washington in the next two to three years because we think that would be an excellent venue, opportunity, market, fan base for us to connect with, with this event, as well.”
The game resonates with players and coaches, too. Caps coach Bruce Boudreau recalled playing on outdoor rinks as a kid in suburban Toronto and said after last year’s contest between Boston and Philadelphia he had conversations with a number of players expressing interest in being part of the event.
“I don’t want to give away my age. But there were more outdoor rinks than indoor rinks,” Boudreau said. “When you watch the Winter Classic it brings you back to those days automatically – coming off the ice with your cheeks rosy and your parents rubbing your hands. It was always a tremendous experience.”
By going with the Penguins and Caps next year – and giving Washington its own game sometime in the near future – the NHL is clearly showing that it will choose teams for the Winter Classic based on marketability as much as any other factor. Washington and Pittsburgh’s rosters are filled with young stars, including two-time Hart Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, himself a former most valuable player. They also have a heated rivalry thanks to a long history of postseason meetings, most recently a classic seven-game series won by Pittsburgh in 2009.
No word from Bettman on where a Winter Classic would be held in the District. Obvious candidates include FedEx Field, Nationals Park and RFK Stadium. Depending on logistics, a darkhorse location could be the National Mall. Views of the Capitol Dome, nearby museums and the Washington Monument would be ideal for the NHL and broadcast partner NBC.
The league used Fenway Park and Wrigley Field for just that affect. In Buffalo three years ago snow started falling on Ralph Wilson Stadium during the Penguins-Sabres game, creating a surreal snow globe image that helped draw attention to the game from non-hockey fans.
All three previous Winter Classics have been played before capacity crowds, though ratings did drop from a 2.9 in 2009 – the most-watched regular-season hockey game in the United States in 33 years – back to a 2.6. That was also the rating for the inaugural game.
Caps president and minority owner Dick Patrick says the team will wear some form of throwback jersey against Pittsburgh on New Year’s Day. Reebok is working on a prototype. Patrick also said all Caps season-ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase seats for the 2011 Winter Classic.
“It’ll be an easy game to get ready for,” Caps forward Mike Knuble said on the team’s official Web site. “It doesn’t really matter the opponent on that day because that’s a fun one to play. The trick will be trying not to be too distracted and realize there still is a game to play.”
