Notre Dame has officially broken the ice on the first outdoor game in the hockey program's history.
The official announcement of the "Hockey City Classic" was held Wednesday at Soldier Field, the site of the four-team doubleheader which will feature the Irish against CCHA rival Miami (OH), as well as Minnesota vs. Wisconsin.
As previously reported by WSBT in April, the games will be Feb. 17, a Sunday.
Game times and television partners for the doubleheader will be announced at a later date.
Tickets will go on sale Oct. 1 for the general public. Season-ticket holders for the four programs, as well as Chicago Bears season ticket holders, will be privy to an advanced presale.
The games will be preceded by two weeks of winter festivities at Soldier Field, including two days of free public ice skating, hockey events for youths, high school students and adults, and private ice rentals.
It'll be the first outdoor game (in the modern era) for both Notre Dame and Miami, as well as Minnesota, and the first hockey game held at the home of the NFL's Chicago Bears.
"It's a great thrill for Notre Dame to play our first outdoor game in Chicago at historic Soldier Field," Irish coach Jeff Jackson said in a statement. "With so many Irish fans, alumni and current players hailing from the Windy City, it will be a homecoming of sorts. Joining three other great hockey programs at this event will create a tremendous day of college hockey for the great hockey fans of Chicago."
Miami (OH) will be the home team, so the Irish will not lose a home game at Compton Arena.
