Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Wild to host 2021 Winter Classic at Target Field

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Wednesday, 01 January 2020 13:29

DALLAS -- The persistence finally paid off for the Minnesota Wild, who were announced as the host of the 2021 NHL Winter Classic at Target Field in Minneapolis against an opponent that has yet to be determined.

The NHL has been holding outdoor games since 2008, but the Wild have appeared in only one: a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Feb. 21, 2016.

"[Wild owner] Craig Leipold has been ... to say 'persistent' would be a gross understatement, about getting a Winter Classic," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Wednesday. "We're excited to go. I imagine the temperature there is about 30 degrees cooler than it is here right now. But it should make for a great experience for the state of Hockey."

Target Field is home to the Minnesota Twins, and has a capacity of 38,544 for baseball games.

This is the second year in a row that the NHL has named the site of the Winter Classic without specifying the opponent. The Nashville Predators were announced as the Dallas Stars' opponent for the 2020 Classic weeks after the Cotton Bowl was revealed as the site.

As previously reported by ESPN, the Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets are in the mix as potential opponents.

The Blues appear to be the front-runner to face the Wild, having won the Stanley Cup last season. The Blues will host the NHL All-Star Game later this month. The Jets are the closest opponent geographically, but only two Canadian teams have ever appeared in the Winter Classic -- the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. Chicago has made the most appearances (six) in NHL outdoor games, last appearing in the 2019 Winter Classic.

"Let the speculation begin," said Bettman, who said a decision would come in the next few months. "It's not a one-shot decision based on one factor. We look at a whole host of things: rivalries, who's playing well, geography. Will some teams travel better than others to a particular market."

Speaking of fans who travel, Bettman praised the more than 20,000 Predators fans who made the trip to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl Classic and said the NHL is working to get Nashville an outdoor game.

"We've been focused on trying to get an outdoor game in Nashville. We're not going to point fingers at anybody, but it's been difficult logistically in terms of when we might want to schedule. But I would like to see an outdoor game in Nashville's future at some point," he said.

Read 407 times

Soccer

Hojlund, Garnacho lead United rout of Leicester

Hojlund, Garnacho lead United rout of Leicester

Manchester United's Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho ended goal droughts and Bruno Fernandes sc...

Howe amazed as Newcastle 'legends' end drought

Howe amazed as Newcastle 'legends' end drought

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNewcastle United manager Eddie Howe challenged his players to win m...

Slot: 'Hunger' not the issue in Liverpool cup loss

Slot: 'Hunger' not the issue in Liverpool cup loss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool head coach Arne Slot dismissed the idea Newcastle United'...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Magic end Cavaliers' winning streak at 16 games

Magic end Cavaliers' winning streak at 16 games

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Paolo Banchero scored 24 points, Franz Wagner added 22...

Kerr passes Attles as Warriors' winningest coach

Kerr passes Attles as Warriors' winningest coach

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- One game after Stephen Curry reached 4,000 3-point...

Baseball

Valdez gets 4th straight Astros Opening Day start

Valdez gets 4th straight Astros Opening Day start

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLeft-hander Framber Valdez was named the Houston Astros' Opening Da...

Twins' Lewis leaves game with hamstring injury

Twins' Lewis leaves game with hamstring injury

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis left...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated