The Hamilton Bulldogs will be the first American Hockey League team to host an outdoor game in Canada when they take on the Toronto Marlies at Ivor Wynne Stadium in a regular-season contest on Jan. 21, 2012.
The Syracuse Crunch and Binghamton Senators played in the AHL’s first outdoor game on Feb. 20, 2010, at the New York State Fairgrounds.
Appropriately the matchup at the stadium, where the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats play, will be between the two farm teams of longtime Original Six rivals the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs.
“This will be a week-long celebration of hockey, with an NHL and AHL alumni game (as well as) local minor hockey games,” said Hamilton Bulldogs owner and chairman Michael Andlauer. “To me, this is about more than just a hockey game, it’s about bringing the community together in celebration of what is truly Canadiana; an outdoor hockey game between the farm clubs of the two most storied franchises in hockey, being played in a Canadian Football League stadium.
“We are very thankful in partnering and working closely with Mayor Bob Bratina and the City of Hamilton as well as … the Tiger-Cats to ensure this is a great success.”
Officials are hoping to break the AHL’s attendance record of 21,508.
“Hockey fans in southern Ontario are in for a terrific experience as the American Hockey League goes outdoors for the first time in Canada,” said AHL president David Andrews.
