Notre Dame Stadium to Host 2019 NHL Winter Classic

On Saturday afternoon during the Irish’s 24-17 win over the Navy Midshipmen, it was announced that Notre Dame Stadium would host the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.

“The Blackhawks and Bruins, two of our most historic franchises, will be meeting outdoors for the first time at the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated in a statement. “Notre Dame Stadium, with its capacity approaching 80,000, will provide an ideal setting for this ground-breaking event and will host the largest live audience ever to witness a game by either of these teams.”

The Chicago Blackhawks will be the “home” team as they will take on the Boston Bruins on New Year’s Day in 2019. The Blackhawks will make their fifth outdoor game appearance and have a record of one win and three losses in their four previous games, the most recent coming on New Year’s Day 2017. The Bruins have played two previous outdoor games with a record of one win and one loss with the most recent game coming on New Year’s Day 2016.

“We are very excited to welcome the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and NHL to Notre Dame Stadium for the 2019 Winter Classic,” stated University of Notre Dame director of athletics Jack Swarbrick. “I believe it’s only fitting that two of the NHL’s legendary Original Six teams will take the ice for the first hockey game in one of America’s most iconic athletic facilities. Hosting two franchises with so many connections to Notre Dame also provides a unique opportunity to celebrate our hockey legacy.”

This game will mark just the second time that the Winter Classic will be taking place in a college football stadium. The first took place on New Year’s Day 2014 at Michigan Stadium when the Detroit Red Wings faced off against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This game certainly wouldn’t be complete without connections to Notre Dame. Current Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman graduated from the school in 1995. Additionally, former Irish forward Vinnie Hinostroza is a member of the Blackhawks organization and has appeared in 56 career NHL games. Current Irish defenseman Dennis Gilbert was selected in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft by the Blackhawks in 2015. Finally, current Bruins forward Anders Bjork played for the Irish for three seasons, leading them to the 2017 NCAA Frozen Four.

The Blackhawks have also been a frequent visitor to Notre Dame as they have held training camp at Compton Family Ice Arena in 2014, 2015 and 2017.