January 1 in Toronto, the NHL hosted the Centennial Classic, an outdoor game between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. The event kicked off the league’s centennial celebration (despite the league’s actual centennial season beginning next October).
Since then, the rest of the league has debuted centennial patches, which features the number 100 and a silver ribbon showing the years 1917 and 2017.
Sunday night, the Capitals revealed the placement of their new patches during their 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. The patch sits at an unusual place: under the jersey number on the right arm.
Photo: @Otto_min
Pittsburgh Penguins Equipment Manager Dana Heinze showed off the Pens’ updated new jerseys on New Year’s Day.
Starting this month all the teams will be wearing a 100 year centennial patch. The league mandates where we wear it. pic.twitter.com/zfSfJ48uKZ
— Dana Heinze (@RealDanaHeinze) January 1, 2017
Their patch sits on the left arm.
The patch will be worn under the numbers on left sleeve of our game jerseys. pic.twitter.com/XFmZ116sIM
— Dana Heinze (@RealDanaHeinze) January 1, 2017
Beyond the outdoor game and patches, the NHL has many more special events planned this year to celebrate, some of which have already happened.
January through December, 2017
NHL Centennial Fan Arena Traveling Tour
The NHL Centennial Fan Arena is touring tribute to a century of hockey thrills, and a main pillar of the year-long Centennial celebration.
January 1
Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic™ (Toronto, Ont.)
The NHL’s Centennial celebration will commence officially on January 1, 2017 in Toronto with the Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic™ outdoor game featuring an Original Six™ showdown between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at Exhibition Stadium.
January 1
100 Greatest NHL Players Unveiling: Players from 1917-1967
The 100 Greatest NHL Players is a centerpiece in honoring 100 years of NHL hockey, and will be ceremonially unveiled in January at two marquee events. A blue ribbon panel comprised of distinguished members of the hockey community – including executives, media members and NHL alumni – selected the esteemed list.
Members of the 100 Greatest NHL Players (34 in total) who played predominantly during the NHL’s first half century (1917-1966) will be announced during a special pre-game ceremony at the Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic™ in Toronto.
January 2
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade (Pasadena, CA)
The Centennial festivities continue on Jan. 2 at the 128th Rose Parade presented by Honda, with a Centennial themed float “A Century of Greatness (1917-2017).”
Featuring floral replicas of a 55-foot long hockey rink, the official logos of the 30 NHL teams, and the official NHL Centennial logo, the float will commemorate 100 years of hockey along the renowned parade route in Pasadena. NBC’s broadcast of the parade will lead into its live coverage of the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 2.
January 2
2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® (St. Louis, MO)
The St. Louis Blues host the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
January 27-29
2017 NHL® All-Star (Los Angeles, CA)
Honda NHL All-Star Weekend takes place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles from Jan. 27-29.
January 27
100 Greatest NHL Players Unveiling: Players from 1968 to present
The remaining 66 members of the 100 Greatest NHL Players, those who played predominantly from 1967 through to present, will be named at THE NHL100™, a star-studded event open to the public on Jan. 27 during NHL All-Star weekend.
The 90-minute event will be held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, beginning at 6:30 p.m. PT. Fans looking to purchase tickets can register for more event information at www.lakings.com/allstar. Los Angeles Kings Season Ticket Members will receive pre-sale access to purchase tickets for the event starting Tuesday, Dec. 13.
February 25
2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™ (Pittsburgh, PA)
The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
March 15-18
Stanley Cup® 125th Anniversary Celebrations (Ottawa, Ont.)
November 26
NHL 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the League
December 19
NHL 100th Anniversary of the First Games Played
Headline photo: @Otto_min