Hockey in the Sunshine State: Inside the 2026 Winter Classic

Have you ever heard of outdoor ice hockey being played in Miami? The answer to that question is probably no, and the idea sounds unrealistic to most people before this weekend. But that is exactly what the NHL delivered to its fans on January 2nd in a unique matchup featuring the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers at loanDepot Park in Miami.

Newhouse students Benjamin Lefkowitz and Brian Piendel were sent down to Miami to cover the event and met up with Newhouse alumni and hockey royalty during the sold-out hockey event.

“Pepito the Rooster” watching the Panthers practice at loanDepot Park the day before the Winter Classic. Photo Credit: Brian Piendel

The event started the day before with practice, family skate and media availability for both teams. The teams saw the conditions of the ice and took in the unique surrounding environment for the first time.

“For most of the league it’s not every year that you get an opportunity to go through something like this, so you’ve got to take it all in”, said Panthers forward Sam Reinhart about the event.

During the Panther’s practice, we connected with Liam McHugh (G’04), studio host for the NHL on TNT, and asked him about the last impact Newhouse has had on his career.

TNT Host Liam McHugh (G’04) and Ben Lefkowitz at loanDepot Park. Check out @newhousesportssu on Instagram for the full interview.

With the Winter Classic in full swing, Olympics teams were also being announced for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 next month. Rangers Head Coach, Mike Sullivan, will be the United States Head Coach for the winter games and was asked about players included and snubbed from the team throughout the week.

Two Rangers players, Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller, were named to the U.S. Team by Sullivan while the teams were in Miami.

Sullivan referred to both of his players as “glue guys” for Team USA’s roster and said that “both guys have the ability to impact the game on both sides of the puck.”

Rangers and Team USA Head Coach Mike Sullivan discussing Team USA’s roster before the Winter Classic. Photo Credit: Brian Piendel.

As puck drop loomed closer, we connected with Adelyn Biedenbach (G’13), VP of Communications and Broadcasting for the Florida Panthers, and asked about her experience at Newhouse.

VP of Communications and Broadcasting at the Florida Panthers Adelyn Biedenbach (G’13) and Brian Piendel talking about Newhouse pregame. Check out @newhousesportssu on Instagram for the full interview

Bill Zito, General Manager of the Florida Panthers and Assistant General Manager of the U.S. Olympic Team, showcased his “Panthers on the Prowl” initiative, a fundraiser benefitting the American Cancer Society in front of the media.

Bill Zito talking to the media about his charity imitative pregame at the Winter Classic. Photo credit: Brian Piendel.

The panther statues are bought, decorated and put around Miami by celebrities and organizations in hopes of raising $1 million for cancer research under Zito’s supervision.

“We look at this event with enthusiasm; this is just the beginning. What else can we do? What other fun, fantastic, wonderful days can we have under our mission as the Florida Panthers?” said Zito about the Winter Classic.

Professional golfer Dustin Johnson’s panther for the “Panthers on Prowl” charity initiative outside loanDepot Park. Photo credit: Brian Piendel.

The NHL hosted a “Fan Fest” in a park outside of loanDepot that featured live music, games and fun for the visiting hockey fans before the game. During this event, we caught up with Chris Jastrzembski (G’18), Studio Researcher at TNT and recent Newhouse alum.

TNT Studio Researcher Chris Jastrzembski (G’18) and Ben Lefkowitz catching up at the “Fan Fest”. Check out @newhousesportssu on Instagram for the full interview.

After our interview with Chris, both teams entered the ballpark in all white outfits, paying homage to the popular 80’s TV show ‘Miami Vice’. The Panthers elevated their entrance by showing up in sports cars, playing up to the vibe of Miami, and showing off in front of their home fans.

Before the puck dropped, Jonny Lazarus, Content Creator for B/R Open Ice and host for DailyFaceoff.com, shared his perspective on the weekend with us.

B/R Open Ice Content Creator Jonny Lazarus and Ben Lefkowitz talking about the week’s festivities. Check out @newhousesportssu on Instagram for the full interview.

The festivities continued off the ice with a performance by ‘Luis Fonsi’ as the teams walked out of the dugout and ‘Role Model’ during the first intermission.

The Rangers had no problem handling the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers with a 5-1 victory on the road. The traveling Rangers fans took over the ballpark post-game with nothing but “let’s go Rangers” being heard throughout the surrounding area.

Despite the lopsided score, the experience was significant for both teams and the NHL as a whole, proving that outdoor hockey can be played anywhere.

“I would have never thought that I would play in a Winter Classic in Miami…Everything leading up to this game has been awesome and very unique and an experience we’re all going to remember for the rest of our lives”, said Panthers forward Anton Lundell.

The 2026 Winter Classic will go down in hockey history as a great experiment for NHL, and it was a fantastic event for the Newhouse School.

*All videos and full takeover are available on Instagram @newhousesportssu in an archived story labeled “Winter Classic”. *