The Hockey City Classic, an outdoor college hockey doubleheader featuring four top programs, is scheduled for Feb. 17, 2013 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Notre Dame will play Miami and Minnesota will skate against Wisconsin during the outdoor event at the home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
Game times will be announced at a later date.
“This is a great opportunity for us to play in such a historic stadium in a city with a lot of both Miami University alumni and Miami hockey alumni,” Miami coach Enrico Blasi said in a statement. “We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to playing one of our big rivals in the University of Notre Dame in our first outdoor game.”
“It’s a great thrill for Notre Dame to play our first outdoor game in Chicago at historic Soldier Field,” added Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson. “With so many Irish fans, alumni and current players hailing from the Windy City, it will be a homecoming of sorts. Joining three other great hockey programs at this event will create a tremendous day of college hockey for the great hockey fans of Chicago.”
“It is something that I have always wanted to do and I think it will be exciting,” Minnesota coach Don Lucia continued. “Soldier Field has great history and this is a wonderful opportunity for the University of Minnesota to play in its first recent outdoor hockey game. It should be a terrific experience for all involved. Playing Wisconsin, one of our big rivals, will only add to the experience and make it extra special.”
“To be able to play outdoor hockey at one of the most famous venues in the country, in Chicago, which is a great hockey town, will be a special event,” Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves added. “We’ve experienced these types of games in the past and they create memories that the student-athletes will be able to tell their grandkids about some day.”
The Hockey City Classic will be preceded by two weeks of winter festivities, including two days of free public ice skating, youth, high school and adult hockey events and private ice rentals.
Tickets for the event will go on sale to the general public on Oct. 1 through Ticketmaster.com. Season ticket holders from the four participating universities, as well as Chicago Bears season ticket holders, will have the opportunity to purchase advance tickets in an exclusive presale.
