Fenway Park to host college, NHL hockey games in 2023
BOSTON (BVM) 鈥� Though Fenway Park and its historic Green Monster in left field is best known for its iconic atmosphere for MLB games, the site has become a popular host for an unlikely sport 鈥� hockey. On Monday, the City of Boston, Hockey East Association and Fenway Sports Management announced the stadium would play host to four outdoor collegiate hockey games, two for the men鈥檚 league and two for the women鈥檚 league. This is in addition to an NHL announcement that the Boston Bruins will play the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 Winter Classic.
鈥淔enway Park is an iconic venue that has already played host to memorable college hockey games, and our schools are excited to take the ice and compete for our fans and bragging rights,鈥� Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf . 鈥淭hese games at the park will create once-in-a-lifetime memories for the players, students, alumni, and all hockey fans. We are proud to be part of such a special event and appreciate the City of Boston and FSM for welcoming us back.鈥�
is back this January with a matchup between vs , as well as vs and vs scheduled to play on Jan 7. Tickets are available Sep 22 at !
— Fenway Sports Management (@FenwaySportsMgt)
This is not the first time the historic space has hosted hockey games or even collegiate hockey games. Fenway hosted hockey games during five seasons dating back to 2010, most recently in 2017 when it was the venue for five collegiate matchups. While the experience is not a new one for the historic ballpark, it marks the return of a popular regional event that had been dormant for the past five years.
鈥淲e are thrilled to bring college hockey back to Fenway Park for the fifth time, continuing a tradition established in 2010,鈥� Brett Miller the Director of Special Events at Fenway Sports Management . 鈥淣ew England is home to some of the top hockey programs and most passionate fans, so this year’s Frozen Fenway promises exciting contests and memorable experiences for all who attend.鈥�
The biggest national hockey event will also be the first of the 2023 calendar year as the Bruins face off against the Penguins on Jan. 2. The two Eastern Conference opponents had similar seasons last year, with the Bruins going 51-26-5 to finish No. 6 in the conference standings and the Penguins going 46-25-11 and finishing No. 7 in the conference.
While the Bruins have played five outdoor regular season hockey games, this will mark only the second at Fenway. The first game resulted in a Boston victory as the Bruins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in OT in the 2010 Winter Classic.
The Hockey East matchups will be fascinating too. The men鈥檚 games have already been scheduled as Northeastern Huskies face off against the University of Connecticut Huskies in Game 1 of a Jan. 7 doubleheader at the venue. The puck will drop at 2:30 p.m. EST for that contest. The next men鈥檚 game will occur immediately after as the University of Massachusetts plays Boston College at 6 p.m. that same day.聽
While the dates and times of the women鈥檚 games have not yet been determined, one of the matchups was announced as Boston University will play Holy Cross in one of the contests. Though the other game hasn鈥檛 been decided, fans should expect one of the closer Hockey East teams like Boston College, Merrimack or Northeastern to be involved in some capacity.
For the time being, Fenway will still be playing host to baseball as the Boston Red Sox finish up their regular season in early October. If the team makes the postseason, the field could continue to host baseball for a bit longer. However, once January rolls around, Fenway will shed its baseball diamond for a hockey rink and New England hockey fans will rejoice in the return of the sport to one of America鈥檚 most iconic venues.
