Now that another successful NHL Outdoor Classic is in the books, our thoughts turn to where else could this game be played? More than the Stanley Cup or All-Star game – nothing galvanizes interest in hockey across North America on a one-day basis like this game (my lord, it was even trending well on twitter yesterday).

Let’s take inventory – they’ve done Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo in Rich Stadium, Montreal vs. Edmonton in Commonwealth Stadium, Detroit vs. Chicago in Wrigley Field and now Philadelphia vs. Boston in Fenway Park.   So where to next? Here’s are our top 9 suggestions:

1. The Big Apple Game – Central Park, New York City – The Rangers vs. The Islanders

Forget Yankee Stadium and its $30 hot dogs, why not have a game in the freshest air of New York smack dab in Central Park. If  1.7 million people are willing to see a Garth Brooks concert here, surely hockey could establish a similarly large beachhead on the media capital of the world.

2. Old Time Pond Hockey – The Rideau Canal, Ottawa – The Senators vs. The Leafs

The Battle of Ontario is back on and this time on the world’s longest ice rink and UNESCO Heritage Site. Ottawa is also the historical home to Lord Stanley – whose donated cup from 1892 is the most recognizable trophy in sports and given to the NHL champions each year.

3. The Cheesehead Legends Game – Lambeau Field, Green Bay – The Wild vs. The Black Hawks

If you are going to have something called the Heritage Classic each year, don’t you have to doff a cap to your football cousins and host a game at Bart Lombardi’s shrine. Imagine the same guys going shirtless at wintry Packer games coming out for hockey – pure tailgating magic.

4. The Michigan/Ohio Grudge Match – Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor – The Red Wings vs. The Columbus Blue Jackets

9 years ago, the Michigan State Spartans hosted the largest outdoor hockey match ever played until then with their cross-state rivals - the dreaded Michigan Wolverines. Result -  they overfilled the stadium with over 74,000 puckheads for a college hockey game . This time, we would bring back the ghosts of Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler and have Ohio square off against Michigan in the much bigger 107,000 seat “Big Hosue” Michigan Stadium.

5. The Hammer & Sickle Game – Red Square, Moscow – Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals vs. Kovalchuk’s Atlanta Thrashers

What better way to provide international detente then to host a game in the middle of Moscow with two of NHL’s most exciting players. Check out the sitelines here too. Plus, you know Putin would want to put on a good show.

6. The Olympic Game – Whistler Village, British Columbia – Vancouver Canucks vs.Calgary Flames

1988 Olympic host meet 2010 Olympic host in one of the most idyllic winter settings on the planet.

7. The Obama Game – Washington Monument, D.C. – Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers

The pool in front of Washington Mounment is a perfect venue for the ice classic – having Lincoln preside over the game provide a distinctive US stamp of approval on the game south of the border.

8. Hockey Goes Hollywood -  L.A. Coliseum, Los Angeles – Los Angeles Kings vs. The Anaheim Ducks

Believe or not, there was an outdoor exhibition game held between the Kings and Rangers back in1991 at Caesar’s Palace in Vegas. Have a read on the hijinx they had to overcome.  Where there is a will there is a way-plus with 18 years of additional technology- there has to be a way to do it.  Just imagine Hollywood’s reigning elite (Nicholson, the Baldwins, Cruise, Denzel, and that annoying cast from Twilight) coming out to watch a game of shinny in LA Kings classic colours.

9. The Roch Carrier Home and Home Rivalry – Rogers Centre, Toronto  and Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens

The cradle of hockey in the civilized world  – these two have been sparring for the last 80 + years against each other with a very popular NFB cartoon “The Sweater” speaking about hockey as religion in these parts. It’s shame that the sheen off the “Heritage” idea is taken off by holding these in semi-domed stadiums – but imagine a Friday night game in one city followed by a Sunday afternoon game in the other. The most patriotic Canadian event since our new flag in 1967.