NHL gives more details for 100th anniversary season
The NHL has announced further details on its centennial celebration in 2017, including more information on the release the league’s 100 greatest players, dates of a “fan arena tour” and a few other elements of the yearlong event.
On the release of its 100 greatest players, the league gave more specifics surrounding the announcements and how they will take place.
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On Jan. 1 the NHL will reveal 34 players from 1917 through 1966 at the Centennial Classic during a pre-game ceremony at BMO Field, before the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Detroit Red Wings.
The remaining 66 players who played mostly from 1967 through the present will be named at what the league called a “star-studded” event called THE NHL100 on Jan. 27 during NHL All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. pacific time and will be open to the public. The 90-minute event will be held at the Microsoft Theater.
The NHL has said it will not list player rankings. The group will be selected by a panel comprised of distinguished members of the hockey community – including executives, media members and NHL alumni.
The fan arena tour for January and February will go as follows:
Dec. 31 – Jan. 1: Toronto
Jan. 6-7: Arizona
Jan. 12-14: Dallas
Jan. 18-19: San Jose
Jan. 21-23: Anaheim
Jan. 26-29: Los Angeles
Feb. 3-5: St. Louis
Feb. 11-12: Nashville
Feb. 24-25: Pittsburgh
Here are the various elements of the fan arena tour:
MUSEUM TRUCK – The main attraction is a 53-foot museum truck with an innovative interior featuring more than 1,000 square feet of interactive digital displays, original video content, historical memorabilia, and unique photo moments.
VIDEO TRUCK – A second 53-foot trailer will host a giant video screen featuring team trivia and highlights, as well as a pop-out stage for special appearances.
THE “RINK” – A pop-up ball hockey rink will give youth hockey players a chance to shine with programmed games and clinics.
CLEAR THE ICE ZAMBONI® VR EXPERIENCE – This never-before-seen VR experience allows fans from across North America to compete against each other in a race to resurface the ice. Fans will take a seat in a mini-Zamboni® ice resurfacer, feel cool air on their skin and their seat rumble, as they are tasked with creating the perfect sheet of ice – in virtual reality. All races will be timed and shared on a leaderboard.
STANLEY CUP® – The oldest and most revered trophy in all professional sports will make a special appearance in every NHL market.
The NHL will also be represented at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, which will take place on Jan. 2 prior to the Rose Bowl.
The centennial themed float will be called, “’A Century of Greatness (1917-2017).’ Featuring floral replicas of a 55-foot long hockey rink, the official logos of the 30 NHL teams, and the official NHL centennial logo, the float will commemorate 100 years of hockey along the renowned parade route in Pasadena.”
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Los Angeles Kings president for business operations Luc Robitaille, longtime announcer Bob Miller, and mascot will all ride on the float for the parade.
The Centennial celebration will continue throughout 2017 at various league events, including the Winter Classic in St. Louis on Jan. 1, the Stadium Series game in Pittsburgh on Feb. 25 and the Stanley Cup’s 125th anniversary in March in Ottawa, amongst others.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
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