The Blackhawks played the 2009 Winter Classic at the Cubs iconic ballpark, then a 2014 outdoor game at Soldier Field. This time, Chicago can showcase hockey's next generational talent in his second NHL season.
The Blackhawks, along with Connor Bedard, are set to return to Wrigley Field for the NHL's 2025 Winter Classic, according to published reports.
Rebuilding Chicago will play the St. Louis Blues in the outdoor game at the iconic home of the Cubs, per a story in the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday morning. It will give the Blackhawks and the NHL a big stage to showcase Bedard, "hockey's next generational talent," in one of the league's signature events before a big TV audience.
The Blackhawks will host the Winter Classic for the third time. They played the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley in 2009 and the Pittsburgh Penguins on a snowy evening at Solider Field in 2014. Chicago has participated in the Winter Classic five times.
And Bedard, the NHL's leading rookie scorer despite being injured, will return to Wrigley as well — this time in skates, all his gear and a Blackhawks uniform. The 2023 top draft pick threw out a ceremonial first pitch before a Cubs game last July shortly after the Hawks selected him in Nashville.
Although the Blackhawks currently are last in the NHL at 14-34-2 and 30 points, Bedard has been a powerful media draw. The 18-year-old center was named the youngest All-Star in league history on Jan. 4, then suffered a broken jaw the following night on Devils defenseman Brendan Smith's open ice hit in New Jersey.
Bedard, who has 15 goals and 33 points in 39 games, has ramped up his skating and training, but won't be ready for full practices and games until he receives medical clearance. That's expected in a couple of weeks. See video of him on Tuesday.
Although he's able to open his mouth again and has spoken to rightsholders such as TSN, Bedard has not yet been made available to mainstream reporters while injured.
Dickinson Loved Winter Classic in Dallas in 2020
Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson, tied for the team lead in goals with Bedard with 15, seems pumped for the game at Wrigley. Dickinson, who recently signed a two-year contract extension with Chicago, skated in the 2020 Winter Classic with Dallas when the Stars hosted the Nashville Predators at the Cotton Bowl.
"There's nothing quite like it,' Davidson said. "You feel like a kid again playing hockey. I think in Dallas it was like 100,000 people were there, so it's just a whole different feel. It's unbelievable." See following video.
Richardson's First Outdoor Game as a Pro
Second-year Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said he's never been involved with an outdoor game as an NHL player or coach. Richardson played 21 years as a rugged defenseman in the league, then was an assistant coach with Ottawa, the New York Islanders and Montréal before taking over in Chicago last season.
From Ottawa, Richardson did play on outdoor rinks in his hometown. He's also done the popular winter skate on the Rideau Canal that runs north-south through Canada's capital.
"My last outdoor game memory was playing outdoor hockey when I was a kid, so it's an exciting opportunity," said Richardson, who first got news on the 2025 Winter Classic from local media. "It's obviously next year, but I think for myself to be involved with one of those would be really exciting." See following video