The NHL's outdoor-game tradition might feel dated, but to those who play the game, it can serve as a timely reminder of something pure.
Ahead of the Heritage Classic against the Winnipeg Jets at Princess Auto Stadium, Montreal Canadiens players Kaiden Guhle and Josh Anderson reflected on their childhood outdoor-rink origins. Head coach Martin St. Louis also noted that outdoor rinks represent the purest form of hockey and are where he initially fell in love with the sport.
Guhle developed his skills playing on a flooded neighborhood park rink in Grande Prairie with his older brother, Brendan. Meanwhile, Anderson learned to skate on a frozen back deck flooded by his father in Burlington, Ontario, humorously admitting a later backyard rink attempt accidentally flooded his family's basement.
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