With just over a month remaining until the 2012 NHL Winter Classic from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, fans of the Flyers and New York Rangers are getting ready for the January 2 outdoor game.
Preparations are already underway to transform the baseball diamond into an ice rink:
A highlight of the week-long Winter Classic festivities will be the annual Alumni Game. The game is scheduled to take place on New Years Eve between former stars of the Flyers and Rangers.
THW’s Justin Johnson was the first to report that Eric Lindros was entertaining the idea of making a return to the ice for the Flyers and it looks like he’ll be sharing the ice with former Flyers GM Bobby Clarke.
On the Rangers side, Pierre Lebrun of ESPN reports that Wayne Gretzky has decided to decline an invitation from GM Glen Sather to appear in the game.
Here are the rosters for both teams:
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards: John LeClair, Jeremy Roenick, Eric Lindros, Mark Recchi, Bobby Clarke, Shjon Podein, Jim Dowd, Orest Kindrachuk, Bob Kelly, Reggie Leach, Bill Barber, Ken Linseman, Brian Propp, Al Hill
Defensemen: Chris Therien, Derian Hatcher, Kjell Samuelsson, Larry Goodenough, Eric Desjardins, Terry Carkner, Joe Watson, Brad Marsh, Mark Howe
Goalies: Neil Little, Mark LaForest
Coaches: Pat Quinn, Keith Primeau, Mike Nykoluk
New York Rangers
Forwards: Glenn Anderson, Paul Broten, Ron Duguay, Nick Fotiu, Mike Gartner, Adam Graves, Pat Hickey, Kris King, Nick Kypreos, Darren Langdon, Stephane Matteau, Brian Mullen, Darren Turcotte
Defensemen: Ron Greschner, Darius Kasparaitis, Tom Laidlaw, Brian Leetch, Dave Maloney, Dale Purinton, Mathieu Schneider
Goalies: Dan Blackburn, John Vanbiesbrouck
Coaches: Mike Keenan, Emile Francis, Colin Campbell
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THW’s Justin Johnson and Mike Colligan will be covering the 2012 Winter Classic Live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia