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“108 days from now, the gridiron behind you will transform itself – for the first time – to host regular season, outdoor hockey,” said former National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender and current NHL on ESPN and NHL Network Analyst Kevin Weekes, as he kicked off a press conference Nov. 1 to promote the 2024 Navy Credit Federal Union NHL Stadium Series, which takes place Feb. 17-18 at MetLife Stadium.

As NJBIZ reported in June, MetLife Stadium was selected as the host site for this iteration of the beloved, annual event. This year’s program will feature four area teams playing back-to-back nights. The Devils and Flyers square off Feb. 17, while the Rangers and Islanders meet Feb. 18 – marking the 40th and 41st regular-season outdoor games ever in the NHL, as well as the first time four NHL teams have played outdoor games at the same venue in front of fans.

Of course most notably, this is the first time the great Garden State is hosting the prestigious event.

“Four long-time division rivals take the ice in February 2024 for the Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series,” said Weekes, who played on the Devils, Rangers and Islanders during his career. “I know a lot of you have over the years, myself included, been wondering when we are going to play games at this iconic venue. And the answer is not too long from now. It will be iconic for the area. There are so many fans here across the Tri-State that love the game.”

The press conference was held indoors at MetLife Stadium because of some iffy overnight and early morning weather – with the newly debuted, Jersey-centric logo on full display throughout the venue, as well as a glimpse into how the ice will be set up on the field come February (see stadium photo below).

Wednesday’s event featured a notable dais including: Gov. Phil Murphy; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman; NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh; Devils Executive Vice President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald; Devils legend and now Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Martin Brodeur; Flyers President of Hockey Keith Jones; Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere; Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamariello; Islanders Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier; Rangers President and GM Chris Drury; Rangers Hockey and Business Operations Advisor Adam Graves; New York Giants legend and radio commentator Carl Banks; and New York Jets great (and huge Rangers fan) Nick Mangold.

“We could not be more excited about having this great celebration of hockey in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia area,” said Bettman. “There are great rivalries among these four teams. And to be in this fabulous stadium to celebrate the game over two days – we’re going to have a fan fest to be announced later. There is going to be a concert as part of the Saturday night game and celebration. And when you think about how much hockey means to this area and the number of people that are involved with the game at all levels – no better place to fill this magnificent, 80,000-seat stadium twice in less than 24 hours. It is going to be a great weekend.”

Bettman thanked a number of people and stakeholders for their part in bringing this event to fruition – shouting out Murphy, the four teams, the players, the Giants and Jets, the stadium crew, the NHL setup crew, the fans and more.

“Gov. Murphy, this does not happen without you and without your persistence. The governor has been a vocal supporter – not only of the state, but of the game of hockey and also using this stadium and repurposing it for us to play two games here,” said Bettman. “We have the Devils, the Flyers, the Rangers, and the Islanders – all four organizations being willing to participate and put our game out on this fabulous stage.”

Murphy said this is a big deal – by any measure.

“The Stadium Series in Jersey for two days – back-to-back, sellouts – is a huge deal,” said Murphy. “I think this is coming together at the peak of the NHL, the teams, and MetLife.”

The governor said that it is coming on the heels of a successful run of concerts/events and the beginning of the football season for the MetLife crew as well as NJ Transit moving people in and out of the venue.

“It has a huge impact on the fans, but also the small businesses – the mom-and-pops out there that are going to benefit from the spiderweb of the success of the Stadium Series as it gets out to the communities up here, particularly in Bergen and Hudson Counties,” said Murphy. “It is a huge deal. And I would say, lastly, we are already a Host City for the 2026 Men’s Soccer World Cup. We are pitching like heck to get the finals – too early to tell. But the success of something like this is yet another data point that outsiders can look at, and say, ‘these folks know what they are doing.”

“We are excited about this – this iconic venue, to host these games,” said Fitzgerald. “To be part of this is very special for us.”

Brodeur said it gives players an opportunity to take a trip back in time to their childhoods.

“They all grew up playing street hockey – in the parks and on the ponds. Now, they get a chance to do it again and become kids again for a day,” said Brodeur. “And I think that’s what it is all about. It is the love of the game and that is why we play the game. But this is a different stage. There’s a buzz about the game. You walk into the stadium and you feel special.”

In addition to unveiling the aforementioned logo for this year’s series in the Garden State, the NHL also announced that tickets are on sale, on a first-come, first-served basis.

“I can’t thank the Jets and the Giants and MetLife Stadium enough for sharing their home with us and making their fans our fans for this weekend,” Bettman added. “We could not be more grateful to everybody. We could not be more thankful to our fans. And we are looking forward to having a great celebration of hockey in the metropolitan area.”

“Beginning with the NHL, most importantly, the teams, but also with MetLife, the Giants, Jets – this is as good as it gets in terms of getting up on the wire, know that all the lights are on you, and just executing flawlessly,” said Murphy. “I cannot tell you how thrilled we are. I do not want anyone to come after me up here – [but] I will be rooting for the Devils on Saturday. Apologies to the Flyers.”