Apparently NHL has some kind of plans of bringing an outdoor game to Europe and here's a Swedish take of the subject by Expressen.se & Linus Hugosson.
"NHL wants to play outdoor game in Stockholm"
NHL's move to make outdoor game Winter Classic a yearly tradition has been a major success. The games are huge crowd and TV successes and the fact that prestigious HBO does now reality-TV of it for the 2nd year in a row haven't reduced the PR-success for NHL.
When NY Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers meet at the baseball arena Citizens Bank Park in Philly January 2nd 2012, the entire hockey world will watch.
Now it's been reported that NHL will take the concept abroad. To Sweden and Stockholm, to be be precise.
According to TSN's scoop-master Darren Dreger the plans are already been put into action.
-Don't be surprised if the NHL is considering an outdoor game at the new arena north of Stockholm, says Dreger on the program Inside Trading on October 27th.
-The arena has retractable (sliding?) roof and has the capacity for over 50 000 viewers.
The arena Dreger is referring to is most likely Swedbank Arena in Solna - football (soccer) team's new home castle, which will be ready for use during 2012.
As the organizer of the recent premier weekend at Globen, Live Nation has worked closely with the NHL and according to promoter Jay Seitsema there's an ongoing dialogue with the NHL.
-We haven't started planning yet, but of course, an outdoor game would be cool, says Sietsema in an email to Pro Hockey.
Sietsema won't say which arena would in the case be actual and adds that it's too early to say how the next year's premier weekend will turn out to be.
According to Darren Dreger it can take 2 or 3 years before an outdoor game in Stockholm will become reality.
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Wouldn't NHL outdoor game, a Swedish Winter Classic, in Stockholm be a great experience?
I wouldn't say no to that...
To create a solid framework with full crowd it needs two attractive "Swedish" teams - and tolerable ticket prices.
If it happens, I would like to see NHL to go all the way and copy the Winter Classing with a veteran game before the real game. It would be a fantastic trip down the memory lane, unrivalled to be able to see our blue & yellow NHL heroes from past on the ice.
Or why not a game against Finland's old NHL-heroes?
And what do say you Viasat - are you ready for the task of making a Swedish version of "24/7"?
And because clearly my opinions matter, here are my thoughts of this:
- Why does NHL favour Sweden? Last year the games in Helsinki attracted more crowd than the ones in Stockholm but still this year they got 2 games, we just one. NOT FAIR! Besides, Finland totally holds the record for biggest outdoor hockey game in Europe.
- Even though we do live here in igloos with our pet polar bears, the beginning of October might be slightly too warm for outdoor hockey game. Or at least too rainy...
- I have issues with understanding the "there's no Swedes on the team, we don't care"-attitude (same phenomenon happens also here and I fail to understand it too). I mean sure, the Swedes are doing well and are great but there are lots of interesting players in NHL. Like the Russians ;)
- The ticket price issue though is for real. Over 100e for hockey ticket is seriously taking one close to knocking at bankruptcy's door, especially if you have family and need to buy multiply tickets. We like our hockey cheap and jerseys full of adds, okey?
- Sweden-Finland veteran game? Bring it on, our old men are totally better than yours! (PS. Can we bring Selänne even if he still would play in NHL?)
