Growing up and skating on Georgian Bay in Parry Sound, Ontario, Orr never imagined he would be skating at Fenway Park.
"I never imagined I'd be standing out here, no, never," Orr said. "This is kind of surreal. You look around and you're in Fenway Park. Then you look down and you're on ice. This is probably my favorite ballpark and to see a regular ice surface out here and to see everything all around. This is great — really unique, that's for sure."
Orr also believes that what the NHL has in the Winter Classic is a unique event that has and can continue to do wonders for a league that in recent years has battled to regain relevancy in the United States pro sports scene.
“I think the fans have really taken to the game and it’s becoming a tradition,” added No. 4.
That’s why despite recent chatter that the NHL should maybe consider doing more than one outdoor game per season, Orr thinks the event should be left alone for now as it has quickly become a must-see for hockey and sports fans on New Year’s Day — even going head-to-head with college football bowl games.
"I'm not sure they need to do more than one a year," he said. "I think it's a perfect time. You got the weather just right and it's just a great thing for the league."
For Orr, Friday was a great moment, even if he had experienced so many magical ones throughout his career.
"This is one of those days you'll always remember and I'm glad I made it," he said. "This is something special."
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NESN.com’s James Murphy will be answering one Winter Classic question every day in December.
Sunday, Dec. 20: How excited is Bruins captain Zdeno Chara for the Winter Classic?
Tuesday, Dec. 22: How were the referees chosen for the game?
