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Blake Coleman Rallies To Put New Jersey Devils Into The Winter Classic

By Tim Palladino

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 18: New Jersey Devils Winger Blake Coleman (20) prepares to take the ice during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on November 18, 2018. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 18: New Jersey Devils Winger Blake Coleman (20) prepares to take the ice during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on November 18, 2018. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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No, the 2020 Winters classic is not coming to the state of New Jersey. The very limited outdoor arenas of the state will have not ice on top of them in 2020. Sorry Metlife Stadium, however their still is a slight chance the New Jersey Devils could play in the next Winter Classic.

No opposing teams were announced at the New Year’s Day press conference. The Devils own Blake Coleman could be the voice in the commissioner’s ear that get’s the word out. The Dallas native had some words on his hometown getting the classic.

As Sports Day Dallas reports, when asked what he thought Coleman replied:

"“It’s big now, There’s tons of kids coming up now who are potential NHL players and even my age, there’s guys scouting throughout the league. It’s gotten bigger and bigger since I was a kid. We were once of the first waves and it hasn’t really slowed down. Appearantly the demand for hockey in Texas is bigger now than most thought. In a state where football is king, The state is seeing a high demand for hockey players. Much like the state of New Jersey where football gets more headlines the local hockey scores.”"

For Coleman, maybe he is just a really big fan of his hometown. Coach Hynes told the North Jersey Record newspaper:

"“I think it’s maybe just a Texas kid playing against his hometown team. I don’t think it’s the matchup or the team. He probably gets geared up playing at home in front of family and friends and when he’s home (at Prudential Center), they’re on the road and the Dallas TV station televises the game and he’s got people there. He’s a proud kid and it’s an exciting opportunity for him to play against his hometown team.”"

The Texas born Devil has scored four goals in three past games against Dallas prior to Wednesday night’s matchup. Coleman has adopted well to the metro area, but of course you never forget the love you have for your hometown. Time will tell whither the Devils play the Stars in the winter classic but I’m sure Coleman will keep pressuring for it.

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