There are reports indicating the Calgary Flames may be host to one of two Winter Classic games next season, possibly at McMahon Stadium (Canadian football field).

While the Flames and NHL are not confirming that McMahon Stadium will play host to one of two winter classic games on New Years Day, all indications are that there will be huge outdoor game come January.

Calgary would join the Boston Bruins who will be hosting a yet-to-be-announced opponent at Fenway Park on Jan 1, 2010.

Source:
Calgary could hold the NHL Winter Classic [660 News]

The Jaunt considers the many promotions and giveaways at sporting events throughout the season, and hand-picks the best of the week.

NHL - Detroit Red Wings - Joe Louis Arena
Sunday, April 5 vs Minnesota Wild, 12:30 p.m.

- Plush Al the Octopus (The first 5,000 fans, 14 and under)

The Detroit Red Wings are giving youngsters a plush version of their beloved eight-armed mascot.  For those unenlightened, the concept of Al the Octopus stems from one of the best and most unique traditions in all of sports.  Local fans toss an octopus onto the ice at the start of a game, or following a score as a gesture for good luck.  The “Legend of the Octopus” dates all the way back to 1952 when brothers/fish market owners, Pete and Jerry Cusimano sent the very first octopus flying onto the ice.  It has been said that the eight arms of the octopus symbolized the eight wins needed back in that era in order to win a Stanley Cup championship.  The Red Wings went on a dominant championship run by sweeping their two playoff opponents that year.  Thus one of the greatest sports traditions was born — as was Al, whose likeness is used throughout Joe Louis Arena and as part of other various  promotional endeavors.

“The Joe” — named after Detroit boxing legend — could be on the ropes as a viable modern day sports venue.  Especially one which hosts a top notch; storied franchise such as “Hockeytown’s” Detroit Red Wings.  Lamar Tidwell of Detroit Red Wings Examiner, examines (sorry) the current state of the 30 year old structure and declares the historic playplace to be in some serious need of upgrades.

The main gripe I have with Joe Louis is that many of the amenities of the stadium feel like they are straight out of well, 1979.  There are usually enormous lines for the rest rooms at every event, and considering the Joe seems to only have two bathrooms per gender, this can cause some confusion.  Secondly, the lack of a designated smoking area, that isn’t one that forces smokers to brave the cold to sneak in a smoke.  In the year 2009, people who pay upwards of $50 for a ticket should be able to smoke without freezing their backsides off.  Another issue that I had with the arena in the past was their inability to let customers pay with a credit/debit card at the concession stand.  I took in a Red Wings-Canucks game in January of last year, and I was baffled when none of the stands I went to would accept plastic.  In this day and age, that is something that should be automatic at any major sporting event.

 All legitimate points for sure.  In my opinion, some of the older venues get over-romanticized (I’m talking to you Wrigley and Fenway) then therefore never move forward in catering to fans of today.  Hopefully this will not be the case with Joe Louis.  Take a page from the Kansas City Royals whose Kauffman Stadium was built 6 years prior to The Joe, but has seen major renovations over the last few years certainly for the better.

Source:
Approaching 30, Joe Louis Arena needs a facelift Detroit Red Wings Examiner via MLive.com

Five new interactive enhancements to the Madison Square Garden All-Access Tour have been announced, which will add to the mystique of exploring “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”  Among the new additions, probably the most entertaining — at least from a purely humorous standpoint — would be that of a life-size cardboard cut-out of diminutive New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson.  The 2-dimensional likeness could probably serve as a stand-up placard that reads “You Must be THIS Tall to Ride the Tea Cups.” 

Short jokes aside, the other additions round out like this:

- The other new cut-outs  for photo opps include Liberty guard Shameka Christon and Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

- Fans will now have the opportunity to park their asses on the Rangers bench, or catch a view courtside from the Knicks apron.

- Ever want to chat with a Knicks City Dancer?  Well, here’s your chance with a new Q&A session as well as a photo opp.  Please keep the pickup lines to a minimum.

- Fact sheets will be given out which runs down the rich history of ‘The Garden.’  The sheets have been printed in 6 different languages.

- Also fans will receive a Madison Square Garden backstage pass keepsake

If you are thinking of visiting, check out the official MSG site for tickets

Source:
Madison Square Garden Adds New enhancements to All-Access Tour [NYC Official City Guide]

The Jaunt considers the many promotions and giveaways at sporting events throughout the season, and hand-picks the best of the week.

NHL – Columbus Blue Jackets – Nationwide Arena
Friday, February 13 vs Detroit Red Wings, 7:00 p.m.

- NATIONWIDE NIGHT (NASCAR THEME)
- Lunch cooler giveaway (first 15,000 fans).

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be celebrating the start of this year’s NASCAR campaign with a night dedicated to motorheads — while hosting the team from Motor City — by providing enough racing-themed events for even the most reddest of necks. Details.

Nationwide Series Show Car

The Jaunt considers the many promotions and giveaways at sporting events throughout the season, and hand-picks the best of the week.

NHL – Boston Bruins – Cronin Arena
Sunday, January 18, 2:30 – 4:20 p.m.

- Skate with the Boston Bruins Ice Girls.

For the second year in a row, the Boston Bruins are giving fans the opportunity to take the ice with their lovely Ice Girls. The promotion is set for various dates and local arenas. Attendees will also be able to meet Bruins mascot, Blades, and enter to win autographed team items.

The instant success of the NHL’s spectacle of outdoor hockey games played annually on New Year’s Day, was sure to attract the attention of other organizations lobbying for their participation in the Winter Classic. Not long after this year’s tilt at Wrigley Field in Chicago, there were reports of the Philadelphia Flyers pushing to lace up their skates for a future Winter Classic to possibly be played at Beaver Stadium — home to the Penn State Nittany Lions. Comcast-Spectacor president Peter Luukko and the ever-present Gov. Ed Rendell pitched a Pittsburgh Penguins/Philadelphia Flyers match up as early as last May in hopes of seeing the two interstate rivals at the center of a possible capacity crowd of 107,000 at Happy Valley.

“We [the Flyers] are very interested in being a part of the Winter Classic,” Luukko said. “We have already expressed our interest to the league. It really is a unique event that we would love to be a part of.”

“There is no formal process for something like this,” Luukko said. “We have talked to the league and the Penguins about playing at Penn State or elsewhere.

League commissioner Gary Bettman has commented on the intrigue of this Pennsylvania showdown, and for NHL fans and PA residents alike…Beaver Stadium would be the backdrop of yet another historical hockey contest.

The Jaunt is interested in knowing what teams/venues you think deserve the Winter Classic treatment. Please comment below.

Related:

Flyers pursuing Happy Valley Winter Classic next year [Philadelphia Daily News]

It’s been a long time since I last had any fresh content up on The Jaunt. Since then, yours truly somehow duped a lovely woman into marrying him, witnessed his beloved Phillies put an end to years of championship anguish, added a new family member in the form of a lightning-quick Greyhound (and by ‘lightning-quick’ I mean he lays around all damn day and night), and of course the main reason for the stoppage; having the site re-designed (thanks DJvu Design). It has been an unforgettable 2008, and it feels good to be back.

Yesterday kicked off the new year, and there were plenty of sports happenings which served as a springboard for what is sure to be an eventful 2009. The day featured the usual selection of college bowl games — including the classic Rose Bowl –and also the official launch of MLB Network (in some cable markets). Highlighting yesterday’s action though was the sight of an outdoor NHL game played in the fabled friendly confines of Wrigley Field. My hatred for Hockey was set aside to witness easily one of the greatest events put together by any sporting association. Beginning with the matchup last year at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the NHL has created a wildly successful holiday sports tradition right before our eyes.

So the new year brings new dedication for us to start publishing consistently again and providing our readers with new features and interaction possibilities. There are still some on-going site design bugs that need to be worked out, but The Jaunt is back. We offer a warm welcome any new readers and hope we retained a few faithful followers.

Happy New Year!