NHL Winter Classic being held in 'really cool' setting at Notre Dame

EDINA, Minn. -- Anders Lee played three seasons at the University of Notre Dame and always hoped there would be an outdoor hockey game at Notre Dame Stadium.
The New York Islanders forward will get his wish when the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins play the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 1. Tickets for the game will go on sale Aug. 28.

Lee said he is disappointed to not be playing in the game but is looking forward to it being held on campus.
"It's just going to be cool to see such a historic building with such rich tradition host a hockey game," the 28-year-old said this month between games at Da Beauty League, a 4-on-4 summer league for players with connections to Minnesota.
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Lee played 125 games for the Fighting Irish over three seasons (2010-13) and was their captain as a junior. He had 116 points (61 goals, 55 assists) before signing an entry-level contract with the Islanders on April 1, 2013.
Lee and Notre Dame played outdoors against Miami (Ohio) University at Soldier Field in Chicago on Feb. 17, 2013. The Fighting Irish won 2-1.
Lee said that while he was at Notre Dame he attended five or six football games per season in the stadium, which seats about 80,000 and opened in 1930.
"When you get there, it's kind of surreal because Notre Dame as a school and as a football program has so much history and tradition," he said. "We sat right in front, unbelievable seats. It's just really cool there."

Lee said he expects Notre Dame Stadium will have great views for hockey and that, even with recent renovations, the venue offers a sense of history that should make it enjoyable for the teams and fans.
"It's such a good sports town," Lee said of South Bend, Indiana. "The main stage is the football stadium and the town has embraced the university in every aspect. It's well supported and the [Winter Classic] will be welcomed with open arms. It's going to be an awesome event, and I can't wait to watch on TV and see how it all looks."
Lee, who is from Edina, said there's nothing like a game of pond hockey, and that outdoor games such as the Winter Classic are similar to that, except that they matter.
"At the end of the day, there's still a lot on the line," said Lee, who has not played in an NHL outdoor game. "There's still two points. … It's definitely taken seriously, and fans are in for a treat without question."