It's official: NHL hockey coming to Lake Tahoe in February

It has been a plan in the works for months and Monday the National Hockey League made it official — they are bringing NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe to Edgewood Tahoe Feb. 20-21, 2021.

Bridgestone NHL Outdoors Saturday will showcase the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights on Feb. 20. Honda NHL Outdoors Sunday will feature the Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins on Feb. 21. Both games will be broadcast on NBC in the United States and on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.

The backdrop of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra will give a postcard view from every angle of the ice rink that will be built on the 18th fairway. While there no spectators are allowed, the public can watch on television.

This backdrop is already well-known to golf fans as the annual American Century Golf Championship has been held at Edgewood since 1990.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly spoke to the media today, telling them they couldn’t be more excited to put on the event in Lake Tahoe. They said they had searched for a "picturesque and magnificent place" that could accommodate players and staff in a safe manner, one that was close to an airport, have an area outdoor where a rink could be installed as well as hotel availability.

"We are thrilled to be coming to Tahoe," said Bettman.

“Having the National Hockey League playing at Lake Tahoe highlights the area’s reputation as a leading winter destination and complements the recreational appeal with a major sporting attraction," said Lake Tahoe Visitor Authority President/CEO Carol Chaplin. "Combining Tahoe South’s spectacular beauty with the best hockey players in the world is a natural fit and will create a television viewing experience that can’t be missed.”

Crews will arrive on the South Shore about two weeks before the games to install the rink. Plans include installing a camera so the public can watch the process leading up the event.

"I am blown away by the setting," said Steve Mayer, the executive vice president and chief content officer for the NFL. "It's a blank canvas on which to produce a world-class event."

He said those at Lake Tahoe will be great hosts, so it was a pretty easy decision to bring hockey to the South Shore.
"Everybody there has been wonderful to work with," said Mayer.

Hockey finished its last season in a safety bubble to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to keep players and staff healthy. They will continue that model of operations as the new NHL season begins Wednesday. Their several page list of safety protocols will be closely adhered to all season, even while in Lake Tahoe. Part of their decision to come to Lake Tahoe was the fact that they could keep the teams isolated and moved from their hotel to the rink safely in shuttles and have places for meals without regular fan base.

Caesars Entertainment will be the host hotels for players, some NHL crew will stay at Edgewood Tahoe and other properties will assist with NBC and other lodging needs. All of those arrangements are being handled by the NHL.
“We are excited to be chosen by the NHL to play in such a unique setting as Lake Tahoe," said Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche Executive Vice President/General Manager. "Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful areas in the world and a perfect spot for an outdoor game. Although we wish our great fans could be there in person, we know they will enjoy watching what will be a great weekend of hockey.”

Sakic has played in the American Century Championship. In 2011 he aced the 17th hole, splitting the $1 million prize with Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation for cancer research.

"This couldn’t be a better opportunity to showcase the area while still being responsible to community with no spectators," said Chaplin. "I know many would love to come to this."

She said security will be tight to watch for fans looking for a peek at hockey. If people bring over boats (mind you, its winter) they may not be able to see much due to the height of the sides of the ice rink.