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NHL outdoor game could extend to Winnipeg Jets

By Darrell Samuels

Feb 14, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Winnipeg Jets players celebrate their win over the Detroit Red Wings in a 5-4 shootout at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Winnipeg Jets players celebrate their win over the Detroit Red Wings in a 5-4 shootout at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NHL are making plans to grant the Winnipeg Jets an outdoor game before January 1, 2017

Since the success of the inaugural National Hockey League 2003 Heritage Classic game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers, outdoor games have become an annual tradition for the fans of the game. In Commonwealth Stadium on November 22, 2003 the Canadiens beat the hometown Oilers 4-3 in front of 57,167 fans who braved the frigid temperatures in Alberta. Now, there are some whispers that the Winnipeg Jets are looking into possibly hosting an outdoor game.

The success of this one game has grown to where the National Hockey League has expanded to Winter Classic and Stadium Series both in the United States and Canada. Some of the American teams that have participated are the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. These cities are typically hit with snow during the winter months. However, outdoor games have also grown to cover the sunshine state of California with contests involving the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings.

During last weekend’s Hockey Night in Canada second intermission “Headlines” segment Sportsnet hockey analysts Damien Cox and Elliotte Friedman let it be known that the city of Winnipeg and the Jets organization are trying to get some sort of outdoor game in Manitoba before Christmas Day, 2016. This would be the first time an outdoor game would be played before January 1.

The city of Winnipeg lost their original Jets franchise, when the team moved to Arizona to become the Arizona Coyotes. The NHL returned to Winnipeg prior to the 2011-12 campaign after the relocation of the defunct Atlanta Thrashers organization. Since the return to Winnipeg, they have made the playoffs once.

The Winnipeg Jets franchise is the only Canadian hockey club in the NHL not to have participated in some form of outdoor contest.

Playing a game outdoors in Winnipeg would equal success for the league and the Jets’ fan base.

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