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Full schedule for 2016-2017 NHL outdoor games announced

By Leah Smith

Jan 1, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of Gillette Stadium during the National Anthem before the Winter Classic hockey game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of Gillette Stadium during the National Anthem before the Winter Classic hockey game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NHL announced the schedule for the four outdoor games to be held during 2016-2017 season.

For the 2016-2017 season, the NHL will feature four outdoor games instead of three in order to honor the league’s centennial. It will also be the century mark for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and mark 50 years since the NHL’s expansion in 1967.

Going in order of when the games take place during the season, here is the schedule.

2016 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic: Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets

Taking place on October 23, 2016, in Winnipeg, the game will feature the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Winnipeg Jets at Investors Group Field, home to the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This will be the first outdoor game for the Jets, and second time for the Oilers. In 2003, the Oilers faced off against the Montreal Canadiens in the first-ever outdoor game at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. The Jets have wanted to be included in an outdoor game since returning to the NHL in 2011. There will also be an alumni game featuring Wayne Gretzky captaining the Oilers, and Dale Hawerchuk leading the Jets.

NHL Centennial Classic: Detroit Red Wings at Toronto Maple Leafs

Bumping the Winter Classic from its usual New Year’s Day spot, this game will see the Detroit Red Wings take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at BMO Field in Toronto. The game will celebrate 100 years of the league, and also coincides the Maple Leafs centennial mark as a franchise. These two teams previously met in the 2014 Winter Classic at The Big House in Michigan, with the Maple Leafs winning that game 3-2 in a shootout. An alumni game could feature current Maple Leafs President, Brendan Shanahan suiting up for the Red Wings.

2017 Bridgestone Winter Classic: Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues

Pushed back a day, the Blackhawks and Blues will meet at Busch Stadium on January 2, 2017. St. Louis will celebrate 50 years in the league with their first appearance in an outdoor game. For Chicago, this will mark their fifth outdoor game. The Blackhawks most recently played in the Stadium Series this season taking on the Minnesota Wild at TCF Bank Field in Minneapolis on February 21,2016.

2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series: Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins

Taking place on February 18, 2017 at Heinz Field. Both the Flyers and Penguins entered the league as expansion teams in 1967. The in-state rivalry combined with both teams celebrating 50 years in the NHL, makes this a perfect match-up. For each team, it will mark their third appearance in an outdoor game, and the Penguins’ second time hosting.

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