NHL.com’s Craig Merz posted an article about the Stadium Series rink build at Ohio Stadium earlier this afternoon, and this evening, the Columbus Blue Jackets website’s Jeff Svoboda continued the narrative:
“It’s pretty awe-inspiring when you come in here, just the history of the building and the volume of people that are going to be in here,” said Mike Craig, senior director of hockey operations and facilities operations for the NHL. “You kind of look ahead a little bit to that atmosphere, and we’re very excited to be a part of that.”
Craig and fellow senior director of hockey operations and facilities operation Derek King met with the media Tuesday to show off work that’s taken place so far, and to discuss what’s to come. Around 100 people will be involved to get the venue ready for the game next Saturday night, with work taking place each day to get everything where it needs to be.
On Tuesday afternoon, workers were installing the decking on the stadium playing surface that will serve as the base layer for the rink and accompanying field design. Over the next two days, more infrastructure work will take place, including running the piping from the NHL’s Mobile Refrigeration Units outside the stadium to the ice surface that will keep it cold and ready.
Then, on Friday, things will really start to take shape with the ice surface, including the installation of the dasher boards and the start of the ice-making process. That will continue over the weekend; on Monday, the ice will be painted white, with rink lines and logos set to be places Tuesday. By next Friday, when the teams get to take the ice for practice, everything should be ready to go and the crew will use that time to fine-tune any changes that need to be made.
“Practice day for the teams is practice day for us,” King said.
Considering this is the 43rd outdoor game staged by the league since the Heritage Classic on Nov. 22, 2003 in Edmonton, the NHL has honed its methods over the past two decades.
“Since we started in 2003 and then 2008 (with the first Winter Classic), it’s progressed a long way,” Craig said. “Just like anything, we learn as we go, and we’ve learned and grown as a crew and are open to all different ideas. There’s always room for improvement, whether it’s a different addition to the truck or within our system of how we control things. We touched on the weather and how we adapt to all that. We learn from those lessons, and I think we’re in a really good spot and are really comfortable with where we are.”
