The Detroit Red Wings To Play Outdoor Game In 2025
Dylan Larkin scores on the Sabres. Photo courtesy of photographer extraordinaire Dave Reginek - Detroit Red Wings
It looks as though the Detroit Red Wings will play the Columbus Blue Jackets outdoors next year. According to league sources, March 1, 2025, is the date set for the game at Ohio State’s stadium, nicknamed “The Horseshoe”, which holds 110,000.
As far as the Wings are concerned, their first home outdoor game came back in 2014 at the Big House where the Michigan Wolverines play, with an alumni game taking place the day before at Comerica Park in Detroit. That game was delayed a year because of the NHL lockout and set a league record for attendance at 113,411. My first thoughts about that game were, IT WAS FREEZING! I took my kids to see the alumni game the day beforehand and then broadcasted live before the main game, which the Wings lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 as the result of a shootout.
They also played outdoors in Chicago against the Blackhawks, on New Year’s Day in 2009 (a 6-4 Detroit victory). The 2016 Stadium Series in Colorado at Denver’s Coors Field (Wings beat the Avalanche 5-3), and against The Maple Leafs in 2017 for the Continental Classic in which the Wings lost, 5-4 in OT.
Check out this video we put together for the announcement of the 2014 Winter Classic. You’ll recognize some hockey legends.
The outdoor series games have become a staple in the National Hockey League. On New Year’s Day, the Seattle Kracken hosted the game. Between periods, local rockers Heart played.
As far as the current Detroit Red Wings roster, Patrick Kane leads the team with 6 outdoor games played, with one goal and two assists.
Look for more details on this game coming up in the future, and let’s pray for some chili weather to develop some great ice for the teams to play on.
Speaking of alumni games, take a look at the Red Wings vs. Bruins game that took place in September at Fraser hockey rink, below.
Pictures From The Detroit Red Wing/Boston Bruins Alumni Game
What a great alumni game in Fraser Saturday night! The Boston Bruins alumni took on the Red Wings alumni for charity as Big Boy arena. Legends like Mickey Redmond, Rick Middleton, Red Berenson, Kenny “the rat” Linseman, Darren McCarty, Larry Murphy, Dino Ciccarelli, Joe Mullen, John Wensick, and lots more, were on hand to put on a great show for the fans.
For more info on the charities involved, punch up the link here.
The final score was the Bruins 8, the Wings 7. The game started off a little slow with each team feeling charitable, but as crunch time came near the end of the game, young horses like Darren Helm, Jakub Kindl, Danny DeKeyser and others started forcing the play. It was all a little too late, as Boston took home the trophy.
For me personally, it was great to see some of these legends, on and off the ice. Some of these guys brought back childhood memories of watching them play when I was a youth hockey player. A special thanks to Joe Neville for asking me to take part. I LOVED working with my friends Ben Holden and Sean Baligian. I’ve known those guys for years, but never had the chance to work with those two pros. The after party at Ciccarelli’s was outstanding. Also, thanks to the crew of The Prep for all their hard work!
Check out some pictures of the game below…
-Meltdown-
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.
