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Hockey was already a big deal in Florida. Outdoor games might spark even more growth of the game
- On Friday, the NHL staged an outdoor game in Miami at loanDepot Park, with another scheduled next month in Tampa, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called it `It's simply incredible`.
- With four high-end finishes in recent seasons for Florida teams, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning's success helped fuel interest as the NHL chose the Sunshine State to expand hockey.
- Next week, a downtown Miami school will receive a synthetic outdoor ice hockey rink and hockey equipment from the NHL for students to learn skating and play.
- Local fan support is already strong and the events will amplify it, with `unbelievable` enthusiasm, sold-out arenas, and upgrades at the Panthers' War Memorial practice facility, Fort Lauderdale.
- Brad Marchand, Panthers forward, said the region's love for hockey has grown since he joined last year, and Mike Sullivan, New York Rangers coach, predicts a next generation of southern Florida hockey players.
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From Frozen Ponds to South Florida: Rangers’ Outdoor Hockey History Clashes with Florida Panthers in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic
If you grew up playing the game of hockey or were raised in or around a hockey family, you know that one of the truly special thing about the game is being on a frozen sheet of ice outdoors where the game originated. It's an undeniable atmosphere: the feeling of lacing up the skates with painfully frigid fingers, and of being greeted with the winter chill as you’re skating around a wide open space. Few things may beat the feeling of scoring a bi…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources29
Leaning Left9Leaning Right2Center15Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Center
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
58% Center
L 34%
C 58%
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