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On Wrigley Pond ...Why "The Winter Classic" Works ...Plus Rumours |
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I am back in Florida to pick up the kids from the in-laws and drive to Disney World for one more day of fun tomorrow before heading back home, but what a great day of hockey today!
For those of us who have grown up trying to get our friends into hockey, the Winter Classic is an event that does all the work for you. This event has become the NHL's Super Bowl. This is a celebration of all that is unique and great to the sport of hockey. Here are my top five reasons why "The Winter Classic" works better than any other hockey event in history when it comes to spreading the good word of hockey.
#1 The Fans
Hockey fans are unique and share a bond in many ways. First of all, in America especially, there simply are not any casual hockey fans. You either love and worship all that is puck or hockey is not even on your radar. So what the Winter Classic does is pull 40-70 thousand die-hard's together. No where else in America does that happen in sports. I have been to NFL games and MLB games with 40-70 thousand fans, and while yes there were die-hards there were also several thousand "casual fans" just there with their buddies or boyfriends looking bored and disinterested.
As I walked up to the arena and around the concourse, and I can't tell you how many times I heard guys in their 20's, 30's and 40's saying, "I am so psyched for this!" One guy said, "It feels like a snow day. I remember when school would get called off for snow, the first thing we would do was find the skates and play outside on the pond."
#2 New Year's Day in Old School Hockey Cities brings in people from all over...
I shared a cab from my hotel with Ashley and Andy from LA. Ashley gave Andy the tickets for Christmas this year and the two hooked up with a friend in Chicago for New Year's Eve. Andy is originally from the midwest, used to play hockey, and is now transplanted to LA. Having this game on New Years Day is a perfect excuse for guys like Andy to travel great distances and visit friends.
"When we heard about the game in the summer we called up my buddy here in Chicago and said that we wanted to visit for the Holiday and go to the game."
#3 The Players
Just like last year, although the game is important (the Wings/Hawks rivalry is far more intense than the Sabres/Pens so this game itself had far more intensity from a competitive standpoint) in the end the players LOVED being involved in this game. Hockey players are the greatest athletes to cover in the world and at these events their coolness and lack of pretense make them "kids in a candy store." I loved seeing Patrick Kane interviewed before the game and being asked about the importance of the game and yet Kane continually kept looking around and saying what a thrill it was to be a part of this event. "We're at Wrigley Field. Unbelievable."
I love the fact that so many millions got to see what we already know: These guys are down to earth, ordinary kids. And that is awesome. It is also noted that I have yet to hear a single guy complain about the ice conditions in either game, even when prompted by one of us in the media. They simply are low-maintanence people who don't make excuses. Great role models. When I think of the other athletes in the major sports and how much they would all likely moan and groan if they were asked to play in a different sort of environ...
#4 The Speed Outdoors.
I don't know if it comes across on TV, but it sure does live. Think about it. When you sit in a stadium like this and you see a baseball or football player running fast it impresses you. When you see a hockey player like Datsyuk or Kane just flying past it AMAZES. I was talking with several of the other reporters in the press box. It is very evident that the speed and beauty is not lost in the outdoor game. In fact it is amplified.
#5 A Great Sports Tradition is Hard to Find.
The NHL has the Stanley Cup. They have the best trophy hands down in sports, but as far as an event that had that feel of "A Classic" or tradition the NHL never had it. After only two years the NHL has a American and Canadian Sports Tradition. That is something that has been sorely lacking and those of us who have been talking up the sport for years were in dire need of. Here is my only beef with the NHL's handling of the gold mine and magic that is "The Winter Classic." The NHL needs to bite the bullet and accept the fact that they've "done good" here. Like it or not, risky or not, if the NHL ever DOESN'T play a WInter Classic game on New Year's Eve they don't deserve to be considered a major sports league anymore.
Traditions like this one with the excitement of this one don't just happen. They are a perfect combination of things and the NHL needs to go with that. Instead of constantly trying to cover all bases by stating, "We of course want to look at all the possibilities and see if it makes sense to do this again next year."
It does, OK? It makes sense to stage a spectacle for the world to see. To put Bob Costas (who by the way was outstanding) on TV at 1pm ET every New Years Day so that folks everywhere can turn on NBC and watch the game. The NHL needed to make an announcement some time either today or in the days leading up to today as to who is getting The Winter Classic next year. Have teams put bids together. Build excitement for next year's game through this year's game. Accept the fact that you can't take this away from the fans now. Once they have gotten a taste they want more, more, more!
What do you think?
For those of you who missed it, here a little video I took when I left the press box and walked outside the outfield bleachers to get the vibe and to see the rooftop seating.
+++++++++Meanwhile in Rumourland+++++++
I am hearing that the Bluejackets had a team of scouts in Toronto tonight to watch the Sabres play the Leafs. The name I was told that the Jackets are most interested in was Tomas Kaberle. The Sabres are very interested in RJ Umberger. More rumours tomorrow, early...
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