Ottawa still ‘in the running’ for outdoor NHL game, Watson says
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson heard the buzz, too: Toronto could host Montreal in a Heritage Classic during the 2016-17 NHL season.
Is the Big Smoke snuffing out Ottawa’s chance at playing the Habs outside during Canada’s 150th anniversary year? Watson isn’t fazed. He’s still hoping the NHL will give Ottawa strong consideration for an outdoor game in December 2017 at the end of a big year for Canada and the capital.
“I think Ottawa is still very much in the running, and I think it makes good sense to have the game here on the 150th since we had the very first NHL game in history in 1917,” Watson said Tuesday.
According to Watson, NHL officials were recently in Ottawa taking measurements on Parliament Hill, which could actually work for an outdoor game.
“They were here a couple of weeks ago doing engineering studies and measurements on the Hill. I’m told it can accommodate tens of thousands with temporary seating,” Watson said.
The other obvious choice is TD Place at Lansdowne Park, since NHL outdoor games typically happen in a football or baseball stadium.
Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has said how much he would like to see the game played on Parliament Hill, and the club has been working with the league on logistics.
The city dearly wants to host an NHL outdoor game in 2017 to cap off the special year. It would be the cornerstone event for the capital in a year expected to be packed with special events and other tourist attractions. The 2017 Grey Cup is the other major sporting event on the city’s wish list.