It’s official! Boston Bruins take on the Canadiens in the 2016 Winter Classic.
Jan 24, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Team Toews center
Patrice Bergeron(37) of the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL All Star Game skills competition at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
The Winter Classic has been something that has been discussed by fans of the Boston Bruins these last few months. The fans wanted it. When the discussion turned to potential opponents, the fans called for the Habs. The rivalry between the Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens is one of the oldest in hockey. Now that storied rivalry will get another page.
The National Hockey League made it official today that the 2016 Winter Classic will be between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens. It will take place on January 1st, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Gary Bettman made the announcement at the All-Star Game (along with announcements for the outdoor games featuring match-ups between the Minnesota Wild/Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche/Detroit Red Wings). “The renewal of this rivalry on New Year’s Day should be a truly memorable event,” said the NHL commissioner. “If you go to an outdoor game, you get the experience. Fans are blown away by the connection with the game and the outdoors, and taking the game back to its roots. The fan experience is nothing short of phenomenal…it’s breathtaking actually.”
The Boston Bruins will get another chance to showcase their skills in an outdoor game. Gillette Stadium will be able to provide an amazing venue for an outdoor hockey match. For Bruins alternate captain Patrice Bergeron, it’s another great opportunity for himself and the rest of the Black and Gold.
“I’m really excited,” said Bergeron. “This is something great for the city, and also great for us as players. I had a chance to be a part of the Winter Classic in 2010,(where the Bruins beat the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime) and it was a great experience. To have it against our rivals with the history between the two teams is something I’ll really be looking forward to.”
“It was special to be there in 2010 with the history behind Fenway Park, and everything else. But playing Montreal outside at Foxboro, we’ll see if it beats [2010 vs. the Flyers], but it’s definitely going to be something special. I’m very happy to be a part of it.”
Bruins President Cam Neely offered up a few suggestions on why the Bruins won the Winter Classic. “There are a couple of reasons: what’s happened with our fan base and our market, and the excitement with hockey over the last seven or eight years. Team performance has probably helped even though we’re not where we want to be right now, but we have a competitive team, and we will have a competitive team. But obviously the rivalry with Montreal speaks for itself.”
“The league is certainly aware of the historical rivalry between us and Montreal. I think the atmosphere is going to be spectacular, and the fans of New England will have an opportunity to go to a game like this that maybe wasn’t afforded to them in a setting like Fenway.”