The Chicago Blackhawks will host the NHL's 2025 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, per a story in the Chicago Sun-Times that broke on Tuesday morning. The rebuilding Blackhawks will play the St. Louis Blues in the outdoor game at the iconic home of the Chicago Cubs, giving the league a chance to showcase "next generational talent" Connor Bedard in one of its premier events. The Blackhawks will host the Winter Classic for the third time. They played the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field in 2009 and the Pittsburgh Penguins on a snowy evening at Solider Field in 2014. It will the fifth time the Blackhawks have participated in the event. WILL BE COACH LUKE RICHARDSON'S FIRST OUTDOOR NHL GAME 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 Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson talks about his outdoor hockey experience after learning Chicago will host 2025 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. Although the Blackhawks currently are last in the NHL at 14-34-2 and 30 points, Bedard, the league's leading rookie scorer, has been a powerful media draw. Bedard remains sidelined for the next couple of weeks with a broken jaw, but has 15 goals and 33 points in 39 games. Bedard was injured on Jan. 5, but has been increasing his work on the ice and was at the NHL's All-Star weekend events in Toronto. See video of him shooting one-timers below. Blackhawks rookie forward Connor Bedard (in green jersey) fires off one-timers at practice rink on Tuesday, Feb. 6 as he recovers from a broken jaw. DICKINSON'S DONE ONE IN DALLAS Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson, tied for the team lead in goals with Bedard with 15, also is looking forward to the game at Wrigley. Dickinson, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, 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. Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson talks about his Winter Classic experience, in 2020 in Dallas, after learning Chicago will host 2025 outdoor game at Wrigley Fied.
