CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was a historic night in uptown Charlotte, the Charlotte Checkers played host to the Rochester Americans with the city’s first-ever outdoor hockey game. Thousands of people gathered at Truist Field and filled the seats inside the ballpark. The franchise hosted the Queen City Winter Classic.
Hockey fans flooded uptown for the event. Kayla Blaisure was one of the fans in attendance. She was excited to see the history in the making.
“It's super cool because hockey in the south is becoming such a huge thing down here," she told WCNC Charlotte.
Dominic Solis also was at Truist Field with his family.
“Charlotte is a great city anyway, but to now have outdoor hockey like the big cities -- I hate to say it but it's a phenomenal event," he said
It marked the first professional outdoor hockey game in Charlotte sports history and was the 12th outdoor game in American Hockey League history and the third that's been played at a Minor League Baseball stadium. The game comes on the heels of the Charlotte Knights' recent announcement that the baseball team is now up for sale. Fans tell us this event is a prime example of the value this team and even the field have.
Mike Jones brought his whole family for the event. He said it “shows a potential new buyer that there's equity here, that there's a fan base, there's something that they can do all you know, all year long”
There’s no telling when ownership will change yet as the team has started the process of selling the team. Spectators are hopeful to see more events at Truist Field for our community to enjoy.
“Concerts, hockey, you know, you name it, sports -- this can be used for a lot of different events, and we'd love to see any and all of those that are on the proposal," Solis said.
“As long as new ownership, if it happens, is willing to have stuff like this, I guarantee you the entire city of Charlotte is willing to be out here," said Blaisure.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.