Dodgers President Stan Kasten Wants to Host NHL Winter Classic in Los Angeles

by Dan Duquette Jr. on Thu, May 24, 2012 at 3:54PM

The Los Angeles Kings are heading to the Stanley Cup Final this year, proving that hockey can be a big success in Southern California. The next step, it seems, will be getting the game outdoors.

Dodgers president Stan Kasten wants to host the Winter Classic at Dodger Stadium, provided the NHL is willing to roll the dice on a warm-weather venue for one of its premier events.

“Facility-wise, we could certainly handle it,” Kasten told the Los Angeles Times, pointing out that the technology exists to allow the game to take place in the sunny California weather.

“They put a man on the moon,” echoed Dodgers chairman Mark Walter. “They can make it work.”

The league has announced that the 2013 Winter Classic will take place on New Years’ Day at Michigan Stadium, pitting the Detroit Red Wings against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Los Angeles, however, is a far cry from the cold climes of the Classic’s previous stops in Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.