As the NHL gets set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2017, the league announced the many events that will dot the calendar over the next two seasons. The NHL also announced that Wayne Gretzky, the league's all-time leading scorer, will serve as the official Centennial Ambassador.
The league's celebration begins in earnest on Jan. 1 when the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field in the first and last Centennial Classic in Toronto. Gretzky, an Ontario native himself, will be on hand at this and the many other Centennial events throughout the year.
Here's a look at what the NHL has in store for the 100th anniversary, starting with the dates to remember:
- Jan. 1 -- NHL Centennial Classic (Toronto) -- Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings
- Jan. 2 -- 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic (St. Louis) -- Blues vs. Blackhawks
- Jan. 27-29 -- 2017 NHL All-Star (Los Angeles)
- Feb. 25 -- 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series (Pittsburgh) -- Penguins vs. Flyers
- Mar. 15-18 -- Stanley Cup 125th Anniversary Celebrations (Ottawa, Ont.)
- June 2017 -- NHL Awards (Las Vegas)
- Jun. 23-24 -- 2017 NHL Draft (Chicago)
- Nov. 26 -- NHL 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the League (Montreal)
- Dec. 19 -- NHL 100th Anniversary of the First Games Played (Ottawa)
The NHL also shared some more details of the big events they have planned:
In 2017, we proudly celebrate 100 incredible years of the NHL. Here are all the highlights planned for our Centennial Celebration. #NHL100pic.twitter.com/3MimbZl3In
— #WCH2016 (@NHL) September 27, 2016
NHL Centennial Truck Tour (January - December, 2017; all NHL markets + other local communities) The Centennial will reach and engage each NHL market with a traveling Truck Tour. The Centennial Tour footprint will consist of three main components: a 53-foot museum truck that includes an interactive interior with original video content, exclusive memorabilia, and fan activations; a second 53-foot trailer with giant video screen for viewing parties and stage for player and alumni appearances; and a pop-up synthetic rink for youth hockey games and clinics. The Tour will launch on January 1 at the NHL Centennial Classic in Toronto and travel across North America during the year.
NHL Centennial Classic (Sunday, Jan. 1, 3:00 p.m. ET, BMO Field, Toronto, Ont.) To launch the 2017 Centennial celebrations, the League will host an outdoor game at BMO Field featuring an Original Six match-up between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs; and members of the 100 Greatest Players from the NHL's early years (1917-1967) will be unveiled and honored in a special ceremony.
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade (Monday, Jan. 2; Pasadena, CA) The League and the Los Angeles Kings - who are celebrating their 50th anniversary - will have a hockey-themed float in the renowned Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. The float will air during NBC's Rose Parade coverage leading into the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks.
100 Greatest NHL Players and Gala (January, 2017) A blue ribbon panel of distinguished members from across the hockey community - including former and current executives, media members, and NHL alumni - have voted for the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history. Following the initial unveiling of the 100 Greatest Players from the NHL's early years (1917-1966) at the NHL Centennial Classic, the remaining players will be unveiled at a special ceremony in Los Angeles during NHL All-Star weekend. Current day all-stars will be joined by the all-time greats in Los Angeles for the largest gathering of NHL stars in one location in League history.
Stanley Cup Celebrations (March 15-18, 2017; Ottawa, Ont.) Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the donation of the Stanley Cup by Lord Stanley of Preston, the League will support the Ottawa Senators in collaboration with 'Canada 150' with special events commemorating the most revered trophy in all sports.
The league also announced the production of two documentaries, one chronicling the history of the Stanley Cup and the other featuring a unique look at the league's 100 years from the perspectives of four different producers.
In addition to the 100 greatest players, the NHL also will announce the 100 Iconic NHL moments in the fall of 2017.
Among the most exciting developments for the Centennial is the unveiling of the 100 greatest players of all time. Much like when the NBA announced its "50 greatest players in NBA history" for its golden anniversary, this should spark some spirited debate. It would probably be a more effective conversation piece if they were going to rank the players, but according to NHL officials, like the NBA's 50 greatest players, there will be no ordered ranking.
Getting Gretzky involved in a more official capacity is also an easy decision to make for the league. He remains the most transcendent figure in the sport, with his popularity still at a remarkable high compared to current-day players. This may also open the door to Gretzky getting back involved in the league in other roles, perhaps even with an NHL team in a front office or other business capacity.
The two events that did not have definitive plans unveiled involve the league's official anniversary on Nov. 26, and Dec. 19th's commemoration of the first games played. All that is generally known is that they will be in Montreal and Ottawa, respectively. It wouldn't be unreasonable to expect that those two events end up as the signature pieces of the entire celebration, even though we're still in the dark as to what will transpire.
For fans of hockey, it looks like the league is doing what it can to really blow out the 100th anniversary, as well they should. It should be a lot of fun to see it all come to fruition over the next calendar year.
