A giant mobile refrigeration unit and semi-truck housing equipment to create an NHL-caliber sheet of ice arrived outside Wrigley Field Monday as final preparations are made for the Discover NHL Winter Classic.
The Chicago Blackhawks are hosting the annual event at The Friendly Confines for the second time, while the St. Louis Blues will travel to the North Side on New Year’s Eve, with puck drop scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Blackhawks previously hosted the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field in the 2009 NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2009, a game the Red Wings won 6-4.
The conditions at the start of the week were ideal for installing the ice rink at the historic stadium.
“Above freezing, no rain or snow, so these are great working conditions for us,” said Andrew Higgins, NHL senior director of hockey facilities and operations.
Crews put up banners outside Wrigley Field and began working inside the stadium as well.
“They have started covering the field, laying down the armor. Once that is completely covered, we will begin our work by parking the truck and then starting all the pipe connections to the field,” said Derek King, senior director of the NHL. hockey facilities and operations, said.
King said they plan to start making ice by Friday, which should give her enough time to be ready for the first skates on the 29th.
“[To make the ice]we are going to build a stage deck, then we are going to install the aluminum bowls that the glycol passes through in the piping. We will use the refrigerated trailer to start cooling these pans. Once we get these pans below freezing, we’ll start spraying water like they do at the United Center. Our goal is probably to have about an inch and a half to two inches of ice. We’re looking to replicate those conditions inside the United Centers for players on game day,” King said.
Building a hockey arena inside a baseball stadium presents a unique challenge.
“It’s about space for us. Our builds are similar whether it’s an NFL stadium or a baseball stadium,” King said. “We’re working in a smaller space, but our construction is the same as everywhere else. Being in Chicago, being in Wrigley, it’s pretty cool. It’s going to be a really special event.”
Fans of all ages are already getting into it. Just over 11 miles from Wrigley, Blackhawks superstar Connor Bedard helped dozens of kids from the True Value Boys and Girls Club cut the ribbon on a brand new outdoor sports field.
The project is part of the NHL Winter Classic Legacy Project, which leads legacy initiatives in each host city.
This year’s Winter Classic marks the league’s 42nd outdoor game.
“We have invested more than $8 million in legacy initiatives,” said Brian Jennings, NHL senior executive vice president of marketing and chief brand officer. “The ability to provide kids with that outdoor space is really critical. The league is committed to this because it’s important to not only learn about the sport of hockey, but also to be outside and have fun. with each other.”
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Jennings also announced that 200 local children and their families would attend the Winter Classic for free.
“Our ties here on the West Side are real and long-term. We work here, we play our games here, and many of our employees raise their families here. We couldn’t be more excited about this project.” » said Blackhawks team president Jaime Faulkner.
The sports field follows the creation of a Boys and Girls Club floor hockey program two years ago. According to the Blackhawks Foundation, interest in the program has “exploded.”
In addition to the play space, kids will also notice a new mural outside the club at 2950 W 25th St, painted by local artist, sentrock.
“This is truly a long-term investment that the Blackhawks have with Chicago. This has been our home for almost 100 years. You couple that with our desire to grow the game of hockey, so at any time, kids can pick up a stick and play. “They don’t even have to go on the ice, they can play right here in Little Village,” said Sara Guderyahn, executive director of the Blackhawks Foundation.
The New Year’s Eve game marks the seventh outdoor game of the regular season for the Blackhawks, and their second against the Blues, whom they previously faced at Busch Stadium in St. Louis for the 2017 NHL Winter Classic.
