The seventh NHL Winter Classic game is just around the corner. On Jan. 1, the Chicago Blackhawks will faceoff against the Washington Capitals in an outdoor match at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.
What better time to state the case to bring an event that the SportsBusiness Journal named as 2014's Sports Event of the Year to Columbus, the home of the Blue Jackets.
Here are five reasons why a Winter Classic in central Ohio would be a winning proposition.
Location. Location. Location.
The largest crowd to date for a Winter Classic was this year's game in the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The NHL announced that 105,491 were in attendance for the Jan. 1, 2014 game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.
Sports fans in Ohio will always want to compete with Michigan, and there just happens to have a ready made venue in Ohio Stadium, the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.
The present seating capacity of Ohio Stadium is 104,944. Not only could Columbus make a case for a huge crowd to witness an outdoor hockey game, but the historic stadium built in 1922 boasts an iconic atmosphere, easy access, ample parking and a high definition 42-by-124 foot high definition scoreboard -- perfect for watching replays and highlights throughout a Winter Classic.
Igniting the passion.
With the Blue Jackets returning to playoff form last season, the team's winning ways energized their fan base that galvanized in the "5th Line" movement. Fans packed Nationwide Arena for Jackets' playoff games and were reported to be so loud that they broke in-arena speakers trying to match the volume of cheers from the crowd.
That excitement has translated to committed fans. According to ESPN.com, through 18 regular season home games this year, attendance at Nationwide Arena is increasing. The Jackets have moved up to 24th in the league from 27th last year and are up three percent in average attendance per game.
The Jackets fans are multiplying and are excited and optimistic about their team. They'd show in droves to see their beloved players skate outdoors.
Feeding the sport.
Columbus' NHL team isn't the only hockey in town. There are people all over central Ohio who are playing hockey at a variety of levels. The Columbus Adult Hockey League (CAHL) just completed their winter session, which included 173 teams participating in 21 divisions. The teams play on one of eight available sheets of ice in five different Chiller rinks throughout central Ohio and a sixth rink was recently added in nearby Springfield.
The sport isn't just popular with adult weekend warriors, the Dec. 22 ice hockey poll by the Ohio High School Athletic Assocation (OHSAA) had five Columbus area teams receiving votes and two in the top ten. Last February, the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets won the Quebec International PeeWee Tournament for 12-to-13-year-olds.
With such interest, a Columbus Winter Classic would allow the NHL to shine a light on the game and encourage play at all ages and all levels.
Ready for a closeup.
A key element of the Winter Classic game year after year has been a documentary series, "Road to the Winter Classic." The series is meant to take an inside look at the game and the players who play it. Currently, the Blue Jackets roster boasts a list of personalities that would make for some good television.
Imagine a featurette dedicated to the post-game hug between forward Nick Foligno and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Cameras could follow the tireless community-focused efforts of both the Jackets organization and players; and the fashion sense of forward Brandon Dubinsky and defenseman James Wisniewski could be on full display.
The Blue Jacket family has some members that definitely could bring some smiles to others in the hockey community with more exposure.
A Cannon.
The Jackets goal cannon is an actual cannon that fires to mark the start of every game and every Jackets goal. You'd have to have it outside for an outdoor game, wouldn't you? The sound of cannon fire through crisp winter air to mark the puck hitting the back of the opponent's net would certainly be a unique, iconic experience that represents Blue Jackets hockey.
There's a lot Columbus and the Blue Jackets have to offer. As the league prepares to turn a collective eye towards Washington for what will surely be a tremendous event, Columbus stands at the ready should the league come calling for a future Winter Classic.
