SEATTLE, WA – Sixty regulation minutes, two teams, one puck, a 200’ foot x 85’ playing surface and nearly three times the number of spectators who would normally be witnessing an NHL game, but just about everything else is different. These are things you will only see at the Winter Classic.
For starters, it is the only game on the NHL schedule, something that has not always been in the case, but is this year. You want to watch NHL hockey, you have one game and what a beauty.
There are elements of the rink which are different than what you will ordinarily find in an NHL game.
The eight face-off dots outside of the center ice spot. Take a look.
The details in the blue line are part of the nautical brand. Is it rope or tentacle?
While racing through the media skate, one that tracked me skating nearly three miles, this was in the corner at opposite ends of the rink, facing the outfield and embedded into the boards
Just outside the playing surface, heated benches, dugouts, complete with team crests signifying where the players will emerge and step onto the stage.
Once the players step from the dugout to the cheers of nearly 50,000 spectators, who will they get to the ice surface? Docks adorned with netting and buoys, supported by pilings with oceanographic charts simulating the deep waters of Elliott Bay where the mythical Kraken is said to roam.
The score will be reported differently than it would be at a typical NHL rink.
The uniforms and goalie gear will be worn for the first time on this day, unique designs, stitching and materials used to give that classic look.
Throughout the live area of the stage surrounding the rink surface, but within the flat area and bleeding to the edge of the first row of seats are all of the fill elements, each with a functional story to tell and some of them doubling to serve a secondary purpose, such as a stage for musical guest, Heart, who will play during the first intermission, and the broadcast position of the TNT cast in a nautical structure.
The game will be filled with many more wonderful sights which will undoubtedly make the 2024 Winter Classic in Seattle memorable.
And yes, the ice is perfect.
Dennis Morrell has developed a deeply rooted passion for our game over many decades as a goaltender, writer, photographer, goalie coach, and active Level 3 USA Hockey-certified, on-ice official with over 2,000 games with the whistle. His passion for the game began in the early 70s upon his first glance at players battling for the puck at Clayton’s Shaw Park.
He has been fortunate to journalistically cover 2 NHL Entry Drafts, 5 NHL All-Star Games, 8 NHL Outdoor Games in two countries and 21 games played in the context of 9 Stanley Cup Final games, witnessing the oldest trophy in sports lifted by the champion 3 times, including when his beloved hometown team, the St. Louis Blues, won their first chalice in 2019.
He has witnessed over 1,000 major and minor professional games in over 250 different arenas. He can be reached at dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com and you can follow him on Twitter at DMMORRELL.
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