The NHL finally formally announced that the 2012 Winter Classic would be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers on January 2, 2012. I attended the kickoff event at the ball park on Monday (September 26) but instead of just repeating the formal boilerplate words of the announcement (which can be easily found many other places) I thought I would let my camera do the talking and present a couple dozen of the images that I captured of what I experienced there.
And so here they are ...
Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, site of the 2012 NHL Winter Classic.
View of how the rink will be set up in the infield at Citizens Bank Park.
NHL Network broadcast the Winter Classic announcement live with Kathryn Tappen and former NHL'ers Barry Melrose and Kevin Weekes offering commentary.
With the NY Rangers on the left and Philadelphia Flyers on the right, the official announcement was made by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Flyer players Chris Pronger, Matt Carle and James van Riemsdyk, team President Peter Luukko, and GM Paul Holmgren look on as Gary Bettman makes it official.
Phillies media and public affairs director Scott Palmer and former Flyers PR man Joe Kadlec.
Phillies President (and my high school classmate) Dave Mantgomery welcomes the NHL to the NL East Division Champion Phillies home field.
Dave Montgomery addresses the assembled media and fans.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter offers the city's support for the Winter Classic.
Flyers TV color commentator and former winger Keith Jones served as MC for the event.
Flyers' Chairman Ed Snider offers his comments.
James van Riemsdyk takes questions from the media.
Matt Carle gives an interview.
Always helpful, Flyers' captain Chris Pronger took time to remind reporters that the Phillies had asked them to stay off the grass while asking him questions which he answered with his usual aplomb. (Did they stay off the grass? Not bloody likely.)
Gary Bettman surveys the scene with satisfaction
Phillies President Dave Montgomery talks a little hockey as his championship ball club prepares for the MLB playoffs.
Ranger GM Glen Sather takes questions from the visiting NY press.
First year Ranger Brad Richards looks forward to the upcoming battle in January.
Chris Pronger has given up asking the media mob to stay off the grass (they won't) and talks more hockey.
Flyer winger Scott Hartnell visits with some Flyer fans.
New NHLPA boss Don Fehr was on hand to lend support to the Winter Classic.
NHL Network's Kevin Weekes interviews Glen Sather for whom he had played for two seasons (2005-07) as a Ranger goalie.
Chris Pronger celebrates scoring a "goal" from home plate.
Brad Richards attempts to duplicate Pronger's shot ...
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