"It's our goal that when somebody tunes in to watch this, they know we're playing in New Jersey."
NEWARK, N.J. -- Certain games will always be remembered. Whether it's seeing a flurry of hats make their way to the ice or watching your favorite captain lift the Stanley Cup over their head, certain moments become ingrained in a hockey fan's mind.
There is no denying there is something special about bundling up and braving the elements to watch an NHL game at a ballpark or stadium. Hockey was first played outdoors, and many players around the league had their love for the game grow on a frozen pond or lake.
In a 2019 interview with Corey Masisak of The Athletic, former New Jersey Devils forward Travis Zajac reflected on his time playing hockey on a frozen pond in Winnipeg.
"There was some cold nights, for sure," Zajac said. "You'd have the heat warmers in your skates and gloves and the balaclava under your helmet." (from "You work hard, good things happen': Travis Zajac embodies everything he loves about his hometown', The Athletic, Nov 13, 2019).
On Feb 17, 2024, the New Jersey Devils will host the Philadelphia Flyers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Currently, the stadium has a capacity of 82,500 fans, but the league is anticipating over 75,000 fans for this event. The venue will be undergoing some renovations next off-season in preparation for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup Soccer, which will affect some of the low-level sideline seating.
Since the league's first Stadium Series game in 2014, fans have learned this event is more than just a hockey game. There are pregame festivals, musical acts, and more, which makes this a bucket list experience.
The league made the official announcement on June 3 and is in the early planning stages. Steve Mayer, NHL Chief Content Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, and Dean Matsuzaki, NHL Executive Vice President of Events, spoke about their vision for the event and what fans can expect.
An Emphasis on New Jersey and What the Area Has to Offer
The NHL always tries to lean into the host location of their NHL Stadium Series games. In Nashville, there was a perfect blend of hockey and country music, with performances by Dustin Lynch, Miranda Lambert, and Dierks Bentley throughout the night. Last season in Carolina, the league held a tailgate party that started hours prior to the game.
New Jersey is most famously known for Bruce Springsteen, the Jersey Shore, and of course, Taylor Ham/Pork Roll. There are plenty of ways to showcase the Garden State, and the league is ready to get inventive.
"We're going to get super creative. We are going to highlight the area. It's our goal that when somebody tunes in to watch this, they know we're playing in New Jersey. We're going to look at all the things that (the) New Jersey area has to offer," Mayer said.
What Kind of Entertainment Can Fans Expect?
While it will be difficult to beat Nashville's entertainment lineup in 2022, New Jersey is home to plenty of musical artists, including Springsteen, Bon Jovi, the Jonas Brothers, and My Chemical Romance.
"When it comes to entertainment, which we always focus on, I think we're going to go bigger because of the weekend. We'll try to do something in between games, after games, and before games that really celebrates not only hockey but the music of the area as well," Mayer said.
During the 2014 Stadium Series at Yankee Stadium, the entertainment included the NYPD and FDNY Pipes and Drums, Marin Mazzie of the musical Bullets Over Broadway, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, and The Rockettes.
The league is in the early stages of looking into entertainment options, but know these events are usually focused around families and will play into that, including a celebration of youth hockey. Whether they include alum introductions or a historical look back is yet to be determined, but the goal is to continue their streak of 37 straight sellouts in outdoor games.
As more information becomes available regarding the outdoor game, we have you covered here at The Hockey News.