SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 30: Lawson Crouse #67 of the Utah Hockey Club skates against the Seattle Kraken during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena on December 30, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – After NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that the Utah Hockey Club will host a future outdoor game, forward Lawson Crouse weighed in on the matter ahead of Utah’s matchup with the Detroit Red Wings.
According to Crouse, Utah’s fanbase has already proven they’re deserving of hosting such an event.
During a special broadcast of NashCast on SEG+, Bettman made a special guest appearance with Tyson Nash, Austin Facer and Ryan Smith during Utah’s game against Buffalo.
When asked specifically about the possibility of an outdoor game, Commissioner Bettman confirmed that that Utah will in fact host one in the future.
“An outdoor game is in Utah’s future,” Bettman confirmed.
“Utah is going to get an outdoor game and it’s going to be great because I know the reaction from the community is going to be as good as we’ve ever seen.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on an outdoor game in Utah 🏟️ 👀
“An outdoor game is in Utah’s future.”
“Utah is going to get an outdoor game and it’s going to be great because I know the reaction from the community is going to be as good as we’ve ever seen.”
He said they’ve…
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 21, 2025
In regard to where the game would most likely be held, Bettman added that the NHL has sent representatives to Rice Eccles Stadium to scout the venue.
However, no official date for the event has been confirmed.
“We’ve had people look at the stadium at the University of Utah,” Bettman said.
“This is just an ideal situation for us. An outdoor game is in Utah’s future but we’re not going to break news because I don’t have a date yet.”
Related: Ryan Smith Says Utah Hockey Club Outdoor Game Is ‘In Motion’
Upon hearing of Bettman’s comments, Crouse explained how incredible it would be to participate in such a historical event.
He also shared that Utah fans have already proven they’re deserving of an outdoor game based on their overwhelming support from day one.
“It would be great for the fans. Ever since day one they’ve showed up for us. Every time we step out on the ice it’s a lot of fun to play here. I think they’re deserving of that,” Crouse said.
“With the weather & the mountains, it would be a cool backdrop.”
Crouse on an outdoor game in Utah: “It would be great for the fans. Ever since day one they’ve showed up for us. Every time we step out on the ice it’s a lot of fun to play here. I think they’re deserving of that.”
“With the weather & the mountains, it would be a cool backdrop.” https://t.co/1pmmCsXb14 pic.twitter.com/ZwUXmzqyvO
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 24, 2025
Since 2008, the National Hockey League has hosted a collection of outdoor games headlined by the annual Winter Classic.
Normally hosted on New Years Day, two teams are selected to participate in an outdoor hockey game. In the past, cities such as Buffalo, Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, Ann Arbor and Seattle have hosted the extraordinary event.
In 2014, the NHL then introduced the Stadium Series to add yet another annual outdoor game to the league’s schedule.
For Crouse, he was both visibly and verbally excited at the thought of participating in a historical event similar to the games he grew up watching as a kid.
“Over the years, they’ve come out with more and more of these games. It used to be just one back when I was growing up,” Crouse added.
“It was an exciting time for me watching Toronto and Detroit battle it out in the outdoor game. It’s a cool part of history.”
The Utah Hockey Club will host the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night at Delta Center. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
