After years of waiting for their turn, Toronto fans will finally get to enjoy an outdoor hockey game.
Unfotunately for local fans, it will not involve the Maple Leafs.
The Hamilton Bulldogs announced Tuesday that the team will host a regular season game outdoors at Ivor Wynne Stadium against the Toronto Marlies on Saturday, January 21st.
It will mark the first time in the league's history that an outdoor game will be held north of the border.
“This will be a week-long celebration of hockey, with an NHL and AHL alumni game, local minor hockey games, culminating with a battle between the Bulldogs and the Marlies on January 21st. It is our chance to showcase what a great hockey community Hamilton truly is,” said Hamilton Bulldogs Owner and Chairman Michael Andlauer in a release. “To me, this is about more than just a hockey game, it's about bringing the community together in celebration of what is truly Canadiana; an outdoor hockey game between the farm clubs of the two most storied franchises in hockey, being played in a Canadian Football League stadium.”
The game is set to cash in on a number of rivalries, not the least of which is between the two Ontario cities. Added to the intrigue will be the fact that the game features the AHL affiliates of what are arguably the NHL's oldest rivals, the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Hockey fans in southern Ontario are in for a terrific experience as the American Hockey League goes outdoors for the first time in Canada”, said AHL President and Chief Executive Officer David Andrews. “Historic Ivor Wynne Stadium has been the site of many great Hamilton-Toronto games in the CFL, and now the Hamilton Bulldogs and Toronto Marlies will bring their intense pro hockey rivalry to what could be an all-time record AHL crowd.”
Bulldogs season ticket holders will automatically get a ticket to the outdoor game in their packages in addition to getting first crack at additional tickets prior to them going on sale to the public.
Tickets will then go on sale to the general public on October 11th at 10:00 a.m. Ticket prices will be announced in the near future.
