Could Gillette Host Winter Classic?

[PatsFans.com Article]

Gillette Stadium would sell out with absolutely no trouble.

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[jmt57]

I could see it happening eventually, but considering they just played at Fenway I wouldn't expect an NHL game at Gillette for a while. I would think the NHL wants to move this around from one team to another as much as possible before having the Bruins host another outdoor game again.

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

I could see it happening eventually, but considering they just played at Fenway I wouldn't expect an NHL game at Gillette for a while. I would think the NHL wants to move this around from one team to another as much as possible before having the Bruins host another outdoor game again.

this.

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[Scooter_McGruder]

Probably in 5-10 years. There's only so many markets where this game would be feasible, so we'll get some repeats eventually. Gillette would also be much better than Fenway for people being able to actually see the game.

 

[Lansdowne]

Never, IMO.

The Winter Classic traditionally takes place New Year's Day. The NFL season is still in play during that time. It's the same reason why the Detroit/Chicago game that was speculated to be played at Soldier Field instead got switched to Wrigley Field.

Edit - IIRC, the first Winter Classic was played at Lambeau Field, effectively debunking my theory. I still stand by my statement though, the game will never happen at the Razor.

 

[scout]

Probably in 5-10 years. There's only so many markets where this game would be feasible, so we'll get some repeats eventually. Gillette would also be much better than Fenway for people being able to actually see the game.

Your joking right? The only other outdoor arena which equals Fenway was Wrigley Field. Of the three outside games played, Buffalo was able to accommodate more people then the other two, and was the loser in fan excitement. Hockey at Fenway Park and hockey at Wrigley Field, instant classics. Did you hear the interviews after the game, a memory of a lifetime. Hockey at Gillette......and where do we play next year?

 

[TennesseePatriot]

Hope So. I love the Bruins.

 

[MVPatsfan13]

Gillette would also be much better than Fenway for people being able to actually see the game.

One of the tings that kept popping into my head as I watched that game(what a finish) was how dissapointed people must have been to be soo far away from the actual game. I was wondering if they set up a screen in the park for those that actually couldnt see it.

& I dont see gillette getting that game for at least 10 years, if ever

 

[RhodyPatriot]

They could but it wouldn't have any magical feel to it. The whole setting of Fenway was awesome even though there were probably only 10 thousand good seats if that. The NHL hit a homerun with these outdoor games. They're very cool!!

 

[dhamz]

Your joking right? The only other outdoor arena which equals Fenway was Wrigley Field. Of the three outside games played, Buffalo was able to accommodate more people then the other two, and was the loser in fan excitement. Hockey at Fenway Park and hockey at Wrigley Field, instant classics. Did you hear the interviews after the game, a memory of a lifetime. Hockey at Gillette......and where do we play next year?

It was a fantastic atmosphere and a memorable event which was no doubt fanatstic on TV but it was nothing short of a horrendous venue to view a hockey game in person. We sat behind home plate just to the 3rd base side of the screen so our seats were probably among the better ones and they just weren't very good.

 

[Scooter_McGruder]

Your joking right? The only other outdoor arena which equals Fenway was Wrigley Field. Of the three outside games played, Buffalo was able to accommodate more people then the other two, and was the loser in fan excitement. Hockey at Fenway Park and hockey at Wrigley Field, instant classics. Did you hear the interviews after the game, a memory of a lifetime. Hockey at Gillette......and where do we play next year?

Exactly. It's a once-in-a-lifetime event. That's what makes it so special. By your logic, Wrigley and Fenway should just alternate the game every year.

Gillette (or any football stadium) is a better choice based solely on the amount of extra people they can pack in, and the much better viewing angles. With that said, I'd not be the least bit surprised to see the Rangers hosting at Yankee Stadium next year.

 

[groundgame]

It was a fantastic atmosphere and a memorable event which was no doubt fanatstic on TV but it was nothing short of a horrendous venue to view a hockey game in person. We sat behind home plate just to the 3rd base side of the screen so our seats were probably among the better ones and they just weren't very good.

I agree atmosphere was terrific, with an electric playoff feel to it. However, "nothing short of a horrendous venue to view a hockey game in person" is a perfect description of the how difficult it was to follow play yesterday from the stands, and I had very good seats. No big deal, as it was a great time with the game secondary to the event itself.

 

[bobgeorge]

Just to clarify, I did mention that one of the prerequisites for a hockey game at Gillette was to move it off of New Year's Day and get it off NBC, making it a totally local affair. That way they could hold it at Gillette in February and hold it every year if they wanted to, assuming the NHL would okay it. To have it on New Year's Day cuts out football stadiums where playoffs are likely, that's why Buffalo was able to hold it 2 years ago.

To have it at Fenway yesterday was a good one-shot deal, where good sight lines was secondary to the whole flavor of the day and where the game was being played. If you made it a yearly event you would then want to consider Gillette. It would seem that there is tremendous support for such a yearly event in this area.

Bob G

 

[jmt57]

Bob,

What are the financial implications to holding a game at Gilette?

Obviously there is a much larger gate, but what about the expenses for a one-time event? If it takes three weeks to get the venue ready, it makes me wonder if the additional expense makes it profitable, even with the much larger crowd and corresponding increase in ticket and concession revenue.

 

[efin98]

Never, IMO.

The Winter Classic traditionally takes place New Year's Day. The NFL season is still in play during that time. It's the same reason why the Detroit/Chicago game that was speculated to be played at Soldier Field instead got switched to Wrigley Field.

Edit - IIRC, the first Winter Classic was played at Lambeau Field, effectively debunking my theory. I still stand by my statement though, the game will never happen at the Razor.

That game at Lambeau was a college hockey game- Wisconsin vs. Ohio State and was played in February.


To refute the argument against hosting a game in Gillette look at what happened in Ralph Wilson Stadium two years ago:

Game was played on a Tuesday which would have left them four or five days to break down the rink, scrape up the ice and remove the piping before a home playoff game if they had won the division...moot point now but still was awarded to Buffalo.

 

[efin98]

Just to clarify, I did mention that one of the prerequisites for a hockey game at Gillette was to move it off of New Year's Day and get it off NBC, making it a totally local affair. That way they could hold it at Gillette in February and hold it every year if they wanted to, assuming the NHL would okay it. To have it on New Year's Day cuts out football stadiums where playoffs are likely, that's why Buffalo was able to hold it 2 years ago.

To have it at Fenway yesterday was a good one-shot deal, where good sight lines was secondary to the whole flavor of the day and where the game was being played. If you made it a yearly event you would then want to consider Gillette. It would seem that there is tremendous support for such a yearly event in this area.

Bob G

Fenway's hosting isn't just about the game itself...the rink is being used for regular games with prep schools and colleges before and after the Winter Classic as well as for charity events and hosting locals for free skating. Something like that at Gillette wouldn't be able to be done unless they had it in February like you stated...

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Michigan State put about 72,000 fans in the seats for an outdoor game, and now they are planning one at "The Big House" which can hold 100,000...

On Ice Hockey: Outdoor hockey game would add to Michigan tradition | The Michigan Daily

I say Bruins versus the Candians on the St. Lawrence River, true pond hockey!!!! Fenway was a better choice just because of the history surrounding the statdium. The Sox ownership is usually spot on, when it comes to these types of things. They really did a great job. I know as a kid from that age, it was great to see #4 lead the Bruins onto the ice! Who here didn't grow up skating on a canberry bog, wearing those Bobby Orr Rally skates?

 

[wiggins!]

Thinks it was CSNNE that had a story the other day that Fenway got the Winter Classic over Gillette because they agreed to hold the college game there was well.

Buffalo held it a couple of years ago....still in mid-season (or end of season I should say) and the Bills had a road game then a home game in week 17. It just depends on scheduling.

I'd rather have the game at a football venue. I would NEVER have paid to go to either Fenway or Wrigley. 38-thousand seats and about 3-thousand of them were probably good ones. I'll pass on the "historically" contexts of the game! Friend of mine was gonna get $800 dugout seats for he and his kid I almost killed him. Had to explain he'd see players from waist up and never see the puck!

NFL stadium or other football venue, you're high up and will be able to see everything.

 

[Seacoast Fan]

I say Bruins versus the Candians on the St. Lawrence River, true pond hockey!!!! Fenway was a better choice just because of the history surrounding the statdium. The Sox ownership is usually spot on, when it comes to these types of things. They really did a great job. I know as a kid from that age, it was great to see #4 lead the Bruins onto the ice! Who here didn't grow up skating on a canberry bog, wearing those Bobby Orr Rally skates?[/QUOTE]
Well, I skated on ponds, rivers and ocean marshes...but never a cranberry bog. And while my autographed copy of Orr on Ice was -and still is - treasured, I wore CCM Black Panthers and then Tacs. Super Tacs were out of my reach.

 

[bobgeorge]

Bob,

What are the financial implications to holding a game at Gilette?

Obviously there is a much larger gate, but what about the expenses for a one-time event? If it takes three weeks to get the venue ready, it makes me wonder if the additional expense makes it profitable, even with the much larger crowd and corresponding increase in ticket and concession revenue.

Okay, just guessing here...

Since there is no real grass at Gillette, a lot of the ground materials used to carry/transport forklifts/zambonis/other heavy equipment might not be needed as the equipment would not damage the turf like it would real grass. This would include all that plywood and the white interlocking squares used to build those temporary "roads" in centerfield.

Putting together the rink, e.g., laying down the aluminum base, pumping in the refrigerant, putting up boards, developing the rink ice, would be a wash.

Weather concerns in February, as I stated in my article, might be less of a problem versus early January, but I'd consult a meteorologist on that subject. Fiscally, this issue could mean lower ice rink maintenance costs if the weather is naturally colder in February.

You can bring in other games at Gillette as well as you could Fenway. The rink could perhaps stay open through the month of February and be torn down in March. I did mention the Beanpot in my article, but the Beanpot may not work outside of Boston. Even in in Foxborough, they may not give a hoot about the Beanpot. You could perhaps bring in college teams from all over the region and not just the Beanpot schools. Maybe Maine would make the trip down just to say they got to play in an NFL stadium.

I would say that given the increased ticket revenue, parking, etc., the lower costs in using a football venue without real grass would be worthwhile in considering this.

I must admit that I am glad that Fenway got to host the first one. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, it was a marvel to see and something I'm glad happened.

Bob G