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Gretzky speaking to the media at Gordie Howe's visitation at Joe Louis Arena. (Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey)
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NHL announces Centennial Celebration; Gretzky to serve as official ambassador

MiHockey Staff
Gretzky speaking to the media at Gordie Howe's visitation at Joe Louis Arena. (Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey)
Gretzky speaking to the media at Gordie Howe’s visitation at Joe Louis Arena. (Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey)

 

By @MichaelCaples –

The National Hockey League officially announced its plans to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2017 today, and they will have the help of the Great One while doing so.

Wayne Gretzky will serve as the official ambassador to the Centennial Celebration, which will begin on Jan. 1, 2017 at the NHL Centennial Classic outdoor game between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at BMO Field in Canada’s largest city.

“A century of great players, great plays and great moments deserves a year-long celebration, and we invite everyone to join our party in 2017,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “We are delighted that Wayne Gretzky — whose spectacular contributions on the ice matched his immeasurable graciousness and popularity off the ice — will serve as our Centennial’s official ambassador as we honor all the drama, suspense, excitement and memories that have thrilled the best fans in sports for generations.”

Gretzky will make numerous appearances at events throughout the calendar year, as No. 99 continues to serve officially and unofficially as the game’s greatest ambassador and icon.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” Gretzky said. “I’ve said this a million times that everything I have in my life is because of hockey and because of the National Hockey League. I happen to think it’s the greatest game in the world. It was kind to me my whole life. The game just gets better every year, so for me to be involved in just trying to help promote and sell our sport even more it’s a great thrill for me and an honor to be part of it.”

There are more events the NHL will announce, but here’s what the league has shared so far:

From the NHL
From the NHL

 

A Centennial Truck Tour, starting on Jan. 1, will take the celebration to every NHL market and many other hockey communities during 2017. The traveling event will feature a 53-foot interactive museum truck, another 53-foot trailer with a giant video screen and stage and a pop-up synthetic rink for youth games and clinics.

The NHL will have a hockey-themed float in the Pasadena Tournament of the Roses Parade on Jan. 2 in Pasadena, Calif.

During the NHL All-Star Game weekend in Los Angeles from Jan. 27-29, the NHL will unveil its full list of the 100 best players to suit up in hockey’s most famous league.

From March 15-18, the league will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the donation of the Stanley Cup by Lord Stanley of Preston in Ottawa; a documentary examining the history of the Cup will be released at the same time.

A celebration for the 100th anniversary of the league’s founding will take place in Montreal on Nov. 26, while a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first NHL games will take place in Ottawa on Dec. 19.

The league will unveil its 100 most iconic moments in the fall, and each day during the calendar year the NHL will share various milestones for the league in broadcasts and through social media.