NHL commissioner Gary Bettman held a press conference on Saturday as part of All-Star Weekend in Columbus, where he confirmed that the Wild, Avalanche, and Bruins will each host outdoor games in 2016, confirming previous reports.
The Wild will host a Stadium Series game against the Blackhawks on Feb. 21 at TCF Bank Stadium and the Avalanche will host an outdoor game against the Red Wings on Feb. 27 at Coors Field.
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It's big news for hockey fans in Minnesota and Colorado, as neither city has hosted an outdoor game despite being among the NHL's most logical destinations.
Bettman also confirmed reports that the 2016 NHL Winter Classic between the Bruins and Canadiens will be held on New Year's Day at Gillette Stadium. It will be the second time Boston is hosting the Winter Classic after Fenway Park was the site for the 2010 game.
It's also the third straight year and fourth time overall the Blackhawks will appear in an outdoor game. They played the Capitals in the Winter Classic this season and hosted the Penguins in 2014 as part of the Stadium Series. In 2009, the Winter Classic was held at Wrigley Field against the Red Wings, whose game against the Avalanche will be their second.