Worst Kept Secret – Winter Classic at Wrigley

The worst-kept secret in the NHL is now officially out there – the next Winter Classic will be January 1st, 2009 in Chicago. Wrigley Field will host the Original Six Blackhawks and Red Wings. Bettman thanked New York and will keep the new Yankee Stadium in mind in the future. Great. Anyway, the article (which could use a better editor, to be honest) did have this to say about the original Classic:

While it will take a monumental effort for the Chicago game to match the drama and mystique of the Buffalo game, when Sidney Crosby’s shootout goal capped an unforgettable afternoon that included the largest crowd to ever see an NHL game and a gorgeous Western New York snow fall, Wrigley Field has a charm unto its own.

Pat Kane better make fun of Patrick Sharp:

“I remember going to Wrigley with a bunch of teammates in April and thinking how cold it was,” Sharp said. “I can’t imagine what it will be like will be Jan. 1.”

Brian Campbell had this to say, having participated last year:

“The city was all wrapped up in it,” Campbell said. “It was, ‘How do you get tickets?’ ‘What are you doing to get prepared?’ ‘What’s your tailgate going to be like?’ It was mayhem, a lot of fun, and something you take a lot of pride in.”

Besides, Campbell can burn a huge pile of money to keep warm this time.