NHL looking at Montreal, Ottawa for outdoor games

TORONTO-- The NHL is analyzing the potential of holding outdoor games in Ottawa and Montreal during the 2017-18 season as part of the Centennial Celebration, Commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday after the League revealed initial plans for its yearlong 100th anniversary in 2017.
The NHL will be holding events in Montreal in November 2017 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the League. It also will hold events in Ottawa in December 2017 to celebrate the first games ever played.

"There are still things, events, in the planning stages for the [2017-18] portion in the Centennial year, and Montreal and Ottawa have projects that we're focused on," Commissioner Bettman said. "[Outdoor games] are under consideration. There are some logistical issues that would have to be ironed out, but it's something we're focused on. Nobody should carry on that it's necessarily going to happen because the logistical issues could be insurmountable."
The NHL was founded in Montreal on Nov. 26, 1917. The first NHL games were played in Ottawa and Montreal on Dec. 19, 1917.
The NHL Centennial Celebration commences Jan. 1 with the Centennial Classic outdoor game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field in Toronto. The Maple Leafs are celebrating their centennial season in 2016-17.
"Certainly the goal and the intention when we go about sitting down and planning is looking for meaningful events that have some connection with our history and the 100 years," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. "Montreal is obviously a logical place. Ottawa is a logical place. And Toronto is a logical place."