Wrigley Field is much smaller than Ralph Wilson Stadium in
On Tuesday, the personnel involved with bringing the game to Wrigley Field gathered for a press conference held on a stage that was set up above the Cubs dugout. Those on stage included, current members of the Blackhawks, the Chairman of the Cubs Crane Kenney, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Blackhawks Chairman William “Rocky” Wirtz, Paul Kelly from the NHLPA, Jim Devellano Senior Vice President of the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, Blackhawks President John McDonough (who held the same position with the Cubs for many years before coming to the Blackhawks last season), and team Legends, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, and Tony Esposito.
Wrigley opened in 1914 and the Cubs have played there since 1916. Other events included two professional football teams in the Cardinals and the Bears, professional soccer, professional boxing, rodeos, circuses, the Harlem Globetrotters, and even a ski jumping event in 1944. More recently the venue has hosted numerous musical acts and next week will be the first minor league baseball game when Cubs great Ryne Sandberg brings his Peoria Chiefs in town to play the Kane County Cougars.
“This coming January, we will have another first, and I believe it will be one of the events most memorable when people look back on the history of Wrigley Field, and that is the Winter Classic,” said Kenney. “We’re very excited to host the event here and we’re very excited that Commissioner Gary Bettman and the team behind us have agreed to allow
With that he introduced Bettman by giving him a Cubs cap and jersey with Bettman 09 on the back. “The National Hockey League is absolutely delighted that Wrigley Field, this wonderful historic landmark, will be the site of the Winter Classic for 2009,” gleamed Bettman. “The Heritage Classic and the Inaugural Winter Classic were magnificent reminders of our Sport’s majestic beginnings and firm roots outdoors, exposed to the elements. Now these great clubs will combine at this unique venue to contribute to our newest tradition, outdoor regular season hockey on the first day of the New Year.” Wirtz summed up the anticipation of what to expect from his “new” team by stating, “In addition to showcasing the excitement of today’s NHL to the millions on New Year’s Day, this game will also reintroduce
The Heritage Classic on October 22, 2003 showcased the Canadian teams of
By the time that these two teams will meet on the first of the year, they would have played 700 regular season games against each other, the most contests ever between two rivals. There would have been 345 meetings in
Officials marked off the field from foul pole to foul pole as where the rink will sit in the outfield. This just adds to the magic of Wrigley Field as the Cubs are in contention for the World Series. It will be their first in 100 years. If they do win baseball’s Fall Classic, it is only a few short months till hockey has their 2009 Winter Classic on the same field. Ticket information will come on a future date.
It is a good time to bring back the feeling of Chicago Blackhawks hockey. “Remember the Roar.”
Contact the author at matt.chin@prohockeynews.com
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