Outdoor hockey is coming to Soldier Field for the first time in the venue’s legendary history. On Feb. 17, 2013, Soldier Field will play host to the inaugural Hockey City Classic – an outdoor college hockey doubleheader featuring premier programs: University of Notre Dame vs. Miami University and University of Minnesota vs. University of Wisconsin. Game times will be announced at a later date. The Hockey City Classic will be preceded by two weeks of winter festivities, including:
two days of free public ice skating; youth, high school and adult hockey events; private ice rentals; and much more. The Hockey City Classic is being organized by Chicago-based sports and entertainment marketing agency Intersport, in partnership with Soldier Field and the Chicago Park District.
For information, including tickets sales, breaking news and schedule information, register for updates at: hockeycityclassic.com, find us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HockeyCityClassic) or follow us on Twitter (@HkyCityClassic). Tickets for the Hockey City Classic will go on sale to the general public on Oct. 1 through Ticketmaster.com. Season ticket holders from the four participating universities, as well as Chicago Bears season ticket holders, will have the opportunity to purchase advance tickets in an exclusive presale. Once the presale information is finalized, each university and the Chicago Bears will communicate with their respective season ticket holders.
The four teams competing in the Hockey City Classic have a combined 36 Frozen Four appearances and 11 National Championship titles. Each year since 2008, at least one Hockey City Classic participant has made an appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four, including most recently: Minnesota in 2012, Notre Dame in 2011 and both Wisconsin and Miami in 2010. The Hockey City Classic will be the first outdoor game in the modern era for three of the four participants – Miami, Minnesota and Notre Dame.
“It is something that I have always wanted to do, and I think it will be exciting,” Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said. “Soldier Field has great history and this is a wonderful opportunity for the University of Minnesota to play in its first recent outdoor hockey game. It should be a terrific experience for all involved. Playing Wisconsin, one of our big rivals, will only add to the experience and make it extra special.”
“To be able to play outdoor hockey at one of the most famous venues in the country, in Chicago, which is a great hockey town, will be a special event,” Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves said. “We’ve experienced these types of games in the past and they create memories that the student-athletes will be able to tell their grandkids about some day.”
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Chicago Tribune.com, Fox Sports, MSN, Walter Football and Yardbarker
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