It’s official. Hockey is coming to Notre Dame Stadium in 2019 for the annual NHL Winter Classic.
First reported by Barstool Chief of Barstool Sports earlier in November, NBC and the NHL made it official during halftime of Notre Dame’s football game against Navy on Saturday afternoon.
The announcement stated that the Chicago Blackhawks would host the Boston Bruins on Jan. 1, 2019 for the NHL Winter Classic. It’s the first time the Blackhawks are hosting the Winter Classic since 2009 when they played the Detroit Redwings at Wrigley Field.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released this statement on Saturday afternoon:
“The Blackhawks and Bruins, two of our most historic franchises, will be meeting outdoors for the first time at the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Notre Dame Stadium, with its capacity approaching 80,000, will provide an ideal setting for this ground-breaking event and will host the largest live audience ever to witness a game by either of these teams.”
“We are very excited to welcome the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and NHL to Notre Dame Stadium for the 2019 Winter Classic,” said University of Notre Dame Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick. “I believe it’s only fitting that two of the NHL’s legendary Original Six teams will take the ice for the first hockey game in one of America’s most iconic athletic facilities. Hosting two franchises with so many connections to Notre Dame also provides a unique opportunity to celebrate our hockey legacy.”
This will be the fourth appearance for the Blackhawks in the Winter Classic. In addition to hosting Detroit in 2009, they played at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. in 2015 and at Busch Stadium in St. Louis in 2017.
It will be the sixth outdoor game for the Blackhawks after hosting Pittsburgh at the 2014 Stadium Series at Soldier Field and playing at TCF Bank Stadium in Minnesota in 2016.
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