The Blackhawks history outdoors ahead of the 2025 NHL Winter Classic

The Chicago Blackhawks have played in a number of outdoor games over the years, and on New Years Eve, the team will add yet another installment of outdoor hockey at the 2025 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.

The NHL is heading back to Wrigley Field for the first time in over a decade. When the Blackhawks and Blues faceoff at Wrigley this year it will be Chicago’s second game on ice at the stadium, and it will also be their second meeting with St. Louis outdoors.

Chicago has played out in six outdoor hockey games, tied for the most across the NHL. Unfortunately, the Hawks are 1-5-0 outdoors, but their matchup this year will be the first in the Connor Bedard era.

Let’s jump in with a look back through Blackhawks outdoor history.

January 1, 2009 | Wrigley Field | Detroit Red Wings 6 – Chicago Blackhawks 4 

The Chicago Blackhawks first taste of outdoor hockey game on New Years Day 2009 at the 2009 NHL Winter Classic. Chicago lost 6-4 with Marian Hossa registering three assists as a member of the Red Wings. Another Blackhawks icon, Chris Chelios, played just 1:57 for the Wings that night.

The Blackhawks are set to get a redemption arc at Wrigley Field. In the time since their last outdoor game in the iconic stadium they have won three Stanley Cups, drafted first overall and won just one outdoor game.

March 1, 2014 | Soldier Field | Chicago Blackhawks 5 – Pittsburgh Penguins 1 

Chicago next got a crack outdoors on March 1, 2014. Chicago faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL Stadium Series, a big matchup at the time watching Jonathan Toews and Sidney Crosby faceoff head to head. The two were considered the best centers in the league at the time.

Toews and the Blackhawks ended up getting the last laugh in 2014 as Chicago would win 5-1 handing the Penguins a big loss outdoors.

This was my personal favorite outdoor Blackhawks game. Soldier Field just the morning before the game looked ready for football, but a winter storm the day of the game made for a great atmosphere for Chicago’s win.

January 1, 2015 | Nationals Park | Washington Capitals 3 – Chicago Blackhawks 2 

One word really described the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals experience in the 2015 Winter Classic – squinting. Chicago and Washington were in for some bad sun conditions with the ice reflecting the sun throughout the day.

Chicago’s third outdoor game also marked the second time in which someone with a connection to the Hawks made a difference for the opposing team. 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Troy Brouwer scored the game winning goal with 13 seconds left in the third period.

February 21, 2016 | TCF Bank Stadium | Minnesota Wild 6 – Chicago Blackhawks 1 

The Blackhawks might have got a little tired of outdoor hockey in 2016. A good handful of Hawks were playing in their third outdoor game in three years and their fourth overall. Chicago ended up losing 6-1 to the Wild, a one sided game for a Wild team pushing for a win infront of their home crowd.

January 2, 2017 | Busch Stadium | St. Louis Blues 4 – Chicago Blackhawks 1 

The Blackhawks last played the St. Louis Blues on January 2, 2017. Seven years ago Jonathan Toews and Alex Pietrangelo were the captains of their respective teams and the Blues were on their way to winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history a year later in 2018.

January 1, 2019 | Notre Dame Stadium | Boston Bruins 4 – Chicago Blackhawks 2

Another iconic outdoor game came near the end of the Toews and Kane era in Chicago. The Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks met in South Bend for a big matchup between two original six teams. Boston had the Blackhawks number at Notre Dame, winning 4-2.

The Blackhawks last outdoor goal came in the second period on January 1, 2019, with Dominik Kahun scoring to give Chicago a 2-1 lead. The goal was assisted by Erik Gustafsson and Jonathan Toews. Unfortunately, The Bruins would go on to score the next three goals.

The Blackhawks might be 1-5-0 outdoors, but in the city of Chicago, they are just 1-1-0 outdoors. Maybe this New Years Eve they can add another win to the franchise history book.

For more Blackhawks News from Jim Lynch and Brooke LoFurno, visit Chicago Hockey Now, subscribe to our YouTube and like our Facebook page.

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