Mexico City to host outdoor game January 9

[kaiser matias]

As I posted in the International/World Junior board (Link) Mexico City is the host of the 2011 Division III World Junior tournament. The opening game is this Sunday, Mexico vs. Bulgaria, and is being held in an outdoor rink, with an expected 50,000 people attending (free admission).

I bring this up here because I think that the NHL should take a good look at how this event goes and come to the conclusion that if the Mexicans can host an outdoor game, there is no reason that the NHL couldn't have one in a southern US city.

Obviously the same issues still come up. The average temperature for Mexico City in January is 23°C (73°F) during the day and 9°C (48°F) at night, which I am going to assume is either higher than or similar to a number of southern NHL markets (Miami, Phoenix, Tampa, etc). And while they have built an ice rink there before, I can still see the NHL believing this to be an issue. After all there is a huge talent gap between Division III U20 teams like New Zealand and Turkey and NHL teams. While poor ice may not be a problem for them, I'm sure NHL players would want better.

However, I still think this game should make people, especially the NHL, about thinking of expanding outdoor games into warmer markets. This proves that it can be done.

Link to IIHF article about game

Click to read more...

 

[Acesolid]

It promises to be interesting, especially with the teams that will be part of the tournament:

Bulgaria
Mexico
New Zealand
North Korea
Serbia
Taiwan
Turkey

I don't think it'll be top notch hockey trough. I somehow doubt North (Best) Korea, Taiwan and New-Zealand have a new wave of great young hockey players that'll be drafted in the NHL.

Trough I'm sure those will be fun games to watch!

 

[Johnny8242]

Should be good. As long as the talent level is about the same for each team. Any coverage of this game? I'd really like to see how its set up?

 

[Killion]

Interesting. Their are a few companies in California and another in Alberta that produce synthetic ice surfaces that apparently are as close to ice surfaces as to be almost identical, and its my understanding that such a system has been in use in Mexico City for some time now. I wonder if thats what they'lol be playing on or do they plan to go all out & build a hyper, souped up ice plant instead?. If these new synthetic systems are as great as advertised & the costs to purchase them can be brought down, then ya, for sure outdoor games could easily be held virtually anywhere, from the Sahara to Sao Paulo.

 

[Brominator]

Taiwan should be awesome if their players are half as good as Rod Langway!

 

[Killion]

Bulgaria
Mexico
New Zealand
North Korea
Serbia
Taiwan
Turkey

A) Who (bolded) invited them?. Outlaws.
B) Will they be checked for steroids?.
C) Is Eternal Sunshine President Kim il Jung claiming to have taught Grasshopper Bobby Orr everything he knew about the game back in the day? Along with writing the Bible, all of the Beatles songs, producing Gone With the Wind..... .

 

[Made Dan]

Will there be a stream for this? I'd actually be interested.

 

[MoreOrr]

I figure it's probably not related, but I was just watching a Mexico vs Ontario game on TV two days ago. Ontario won 7-2, I think, since they ended the broadcast before the game actually ended.

I found a link, I think it was this:
http://www.ohahockey.org/news_article/show/72728?referrer_id=14435

In which case the Ontario team ultimately won 9-2.

 

[Acesolid]

Will there be a stream for this? I'd actually be interested.

The article mentioned that the game would be on Mexican television, so I think we'll probably find a stream for it on the day of the game if we look hard enough.

A) Who (bolded) invited them?. Outlaws.
B) Will they be checked for steroids?.
C) Is Eternal Sunshine President Kim il Jung claiming to have taught Grasshopper Bobby Orr everything he knew about the game back in the day? Along with writing the Bible, all of the Beatles songs, producing Gone With the Wind..... .

Dunno, however they have a right like every single country to play hockey if they want to and in participate in global tournaments.

And anyways, if Atlanta cannot find a new owner it's entire possible that the NHL's dear leader and great general Gary Bettman (in his infinite wisdom) will move the Trashers in the, obviously better then Quebec City or Winnipeg, city of Pyongyang, NK. (since it has a population 3.5 millions, it will certainly be successful there). Seriously, I'm positive it's a better market then Phoenix!

 

[alexthekidd]

It promises to be interesting, especially with the teams that will be part of the tournament:

Bulgaria
Mexico
New Zealand
North Korea
Serbia
Taiwan
Turkey

I don't think it'll be top notch hockey trough. I somehow doubt North (Best) Korea, Taiwan and New-Zealand have a new wave of great young hockey players that'll be drafted in the NHL.

Trough I'm sure those will be fun games to watch!

Despite the quality of the sides involved, it's interesting to note that New Zealand is carrying six '94 born players.

 

[Killion]

Dunno, however they have a right like every single country to play hockey if they want to and in participate in global tournaments.

I wanna see birth certificates, blood & urine tests before & after every game. Betcha half the teams stocked with 25+ year old semi-pro's.

 

[AllByDesign]

Interesting. Their are a few companies in California and another in Alberta that produce synthetic ice surfaces that apparently are as close to ice surfaces as to be almost identical, and its my understanding that such a system has been in use in Mexico City for some time now. I wonder if thats what they'lol be playing on or do they plan to go all out & build a hyper, souped up ice plant instead?. If these new synthetic systems are as great as advertised & the costs to purchase them can be brought down, then ya, for sure outdoor games could easily be held virtually anywhere, from the Sahara to Sao Paulo.

And you were concerned about an outdoor game in Vancouver. BTW they have been using the same artificial ice on cruise ships since the late 90's.

 

[AllByDesign]

C) Is Eternal Sunshine President Kim il Jung claiming to have taught Grasshopper Bobby Orr everything he knew about the game back in the day?

I'm not sure what he claims, but I am sure Wikileaks mentioned a blood line that connected the fearless leader and Gary Bettman.

 

[Killion]

And you were concerned about an outdoor game in Vancouver. BTW they have been using the same artificial ice on cruise ships since the late 90's.

On cruise ships?!. I gotta get out more. Be interesting to see that done on an aircraft carrier's deck, full beam stem to stern. Without boards. Quebec Senior Pro League BloodBath Classic..

 

[AllByDesign]

On cruise ships?!. I gotta get out more. Be interesting to see that done on an aircraft carrier's deck, full beam stem to stern. Without boards. Quebec Senior Pro League BloodBath Classic..

I'd sign up for that game.

Cruise ships starting making 'ice skating' as an attraction on ships along side their running track on the top deck. They had since advanced to rinks in which hockey games can be played on. In a former life I used to be the Sound Engineer for the main theatre on 'The Grandeur of The Seas' with Royal Caribbean. You should try getting all the members of 3 Dog Night together for sound check... 'twas a death wish.

 

[Killion]

You should try getting all the members of 3 Dog Night together for sound check... 'twas a death wish.

Shouldve' heeded the advice;
Mama told me not to come.....

 

[Brodie]

I somehow doubt North (Best) Korea

Dunno, however they have a right like every single country to play hockey if they want to and in participate in global tournaments.

uhhhhh

are you a fan of North Korea?

 

[Killion]

uhhhhh,,,,,,,are you a fan of North Korea?

 

[OneManArmy]

It promises to be interesting, especially with the teams that will be part of the tournament:

Bulgaria
Mexico
New Zealand
North Korea
Serbia
Taiwan
Turkey

I don't think it'll be top notch hockey trough. I somehow doubt North (Best) Korea, Taiwan and New-Zealand have a new wave of great young hockey players that'll be drafted in the NHL.

Trough I'm sure those will be fun games to watch!

North Korea seems to have NHL draft eligible hockey talent in NHL 11.

 

[THE_HABS_MTL]

Trough I'm sure those will be fun games to watch!

It's more interesting to watch New Zealand vs. North Korea than Islanders vs. Devils

 

[obsenssive*]

imagine what being the president of Mexico Ice Hockey is like.

"we have very very mucho cold rink! air conditioning! ice! come see!"

 

[tarheelhockey]

To me, the more interesting aspect of this is 50,000 Mexicans at a hockey game. Expansion jokes aside, moments like this are important for gauging the international growth potential and health of the sport. It might even be of interest to the NHL clubs in LA, Phoenix, Dallas, Miami... well, pretty much anywhere with a large Hispanic population.

 

[jessebelanger]

2011 D3 world junior tournament proudly brought to you by the Sinaloa cartel..now buy tickets or else..

 

[AllByDesign]

Shouldve' heeded the advice;
Mama told me not to come.....

Believe it or not, I was expecting that exact quote from you.

 

[worstfaceoffmanever]

Should be good. As long as the talent level is about the same for each team.

If form holds true from last year, Mexico should beat the ever-loving snot out of Bulgaria.

I'm really interested to see just how they're going to pull this off. It could be a landmark moment for ice hockey south of the border.