Showcasing a game in an outdoor arena on New Year's Day worked so well the first time, it appears the NHL is going to go for it again.

An announcement is expected later this month for the 2009 Winter Classic, the second one pitting the Chicago Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings at fabled Wrigley Field, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on its Web site.

An announcement is expected next week before the "Blackhawks Convention" at the Chicago Hilton. According to the Star Tribune's report, the game was approved last week when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman met with the Blackhawks, Cubs and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Last New Year's Day, more people tuned in to see the NHL play outdoors than any other regular-season game in more than a decade.

The Penguins-Sabres game in snowy Buffalo -- the first regular-season outdoor NHL game in the United States -- drew a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5 share on NBC. Each ratings point represents about 735,000 households; the rating is the percentage watching a telecast among homes with televisions, and the share is the percentage tuned into a broadcast among those households with televisions on at the time. Overnight ratings measure the 55 largest TV markets in the United States.

The 2.6/5 were the best numbers since a six-game regional telecast on Fox drew a 3.0 overnight rating and a 7 share on Feb. 3, 1996.

Pittsburgh won 2-1 in a shootout on a Sidney Crosby score before a crowd of more than 71,000 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The Winter Classic ratings also surpassed Wayne Gretzky's final game, which was broadcast on Fox on April 18, 1999, and drew a 2.5/6.

The first outdoor NHL game, billed as the Heritage Classic, was played Nov. 22, 2003 in Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta. The Montreal Canadiens beat the Oilers 4-3.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

I'll be heading back up to Chicago for Christmas this year and I'm gonna make it my mission to attend this once in a lifetime event. 

Hope you enjoy FlaChad. Personally I think hockey is about as exciting as soccer. I wouldn't go to this thing if they were flying me there and the tickets were free.

Cool stuff Chad - I may join you as I will be back there for X-mas as well  

Chicago will have an exciting team this year should be a great game. The under looks like a good bet especially if it is snowing that day. 

New Blackhawks defenseman Campbell all for outdoor game

If the Blackhawks and their fans need more reason to be excited about the apparently imminent announcement of the team playing host to an outdoor game, Brian Campbell's recollection of playing in the inaugural Winter Classic should help.

"It was mayhem," the Hawks' newly acquired free-agent defenseman said Tuesday about the game Jan. 1 in Buffalo. "If it's here in Chicago, the buzz would just be tremendous. It was a lot of fun for the whole city of Buffalo and western New York."

As the Hawksand the rest of the hockey worldawait official word from the league on the team playing host to the Detroit Red Wings on New Year's Day at Wrigley Field, Campbell met the media at the United Center to discuss his role with his new team and recalled playing in last season's outdoor game as a member of the Sabres.

"With the snow and the weather the way it was, the buzz in the city was all wrapped around that game," said Campbell, who signed an eight-year, $56.8 million contract with the Hawks on July 1.

"[It was] 'How do you get tickets? What are you doing to get prepared? How's your tailgate going to be?' It was a lot of fun. If it does come to Chicago, it's another thing the fans can get involved in the city and be excited about."

The Hawks definitely are excited about the arrival of Campbell as general manager Dale Tallon and coach Denis Savard were joined at the news conference by Hawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz and team President John McDonough along with Hall of Fame players Tony Esposito and Bobby Hull.

"This is a great day for the Chicago Blackhawks," Tallon said. "We not only signed a great young player but we signed a tremendous human being and a great person.

"This young man not only has great talent but a lot of class."

A two-time All-Star, Campbell had eight goals and 54 assists splitting time with the Sabres and San Jose Sharks last season. He also led the league in ice time and is expected to quarterback the Hawks' power play.

"He's a big part of our puzzle," Savard said. "We were lacking that one defenseman to run the power play. Brian is not only strong in that department but his leadership and his two-way playingdefense and offenseis going to help solidify our defense.

"We've made a huge commitment here now and we're here to win. We're looking above playoffs."

Campbell, 29, reportedly turned down more money from at least one other team, saying he thought about coming to Chicago even before free agency began July 1.

"I'm really excited about what this club can do," Campbell said. "The main thing for me was going to a place that loves hockey and sells out their building and wants to win. I think the [Hawks] organization has proven that.

"This town is going to embrace us. I can't wait for that [and] I can't wait to show my personality to my teammates to the fans and the media and get the excitement going in the city for the Blackhawks."

 The Hawks should have a decent team this year.  I like the addition of defenseman Brian Campbell.  He's an assist machine.