Playing ice hockey outdoors?

Question

Is there a reason as to why ice hockey is not payed outdoors?

Thanks.

Answer 1

because the weather conditions in the south don't permit it and most northern teams too will have a hard time in the freezing cold

Answer 2

how the h**l would teams like anaheim, san jose, and pheonix be able to have teams.   what if its rainging?  

Answer 3

If you mean professional. Because it is too hard to maintain the ice, and it is too cold. Many other reasons. Just think of -30 C temperatures in Edmonton from for games in the Winter. It would be impossible to play any outside game at night. The Heritage Classic started at 5:00pm local, while the Winter Classics started/will start at 1:00pm local and Noon local.

Also how would any of the playoffs be played outside? It would be up to 30 C, and that's in northern cities on some days.

If you mean amateur then it is in some areas.

Answer 4

They need better ICE

Answer 5

it's friggin freezing for one.  Also the ice quality is sub-par, and it's subject to weather restrictions.  

Answer 6

Its easier indoors? Cant really have a stadium for the NHL teams around a pond... Zamboni's probably are not the safest idea on outdoor ice either. I wish there were outdoor teams down where I live.. School gets shut down here after 2 inches of snow and everyone freaks like the worlds ending..  besides if hockey was outdoors the winter classic would loose its flare (:

Answer 7

well it was in the beginning and still is today although playing it outdoors is usually called pond hockey.

The reason why the NHL game, other pro or youth hockey is played inside has many reasons. The main ones are

ice is way easier to control in an air conditioned building since it doesn't rain since the rain freezes and causes beads on the ice, also in places like texas the large space of ice would be really hard to even keep frozen

and

the rink is small enough to fit inside which is better and safer for spectators since it doesn't need to be stopped for weather (unless their is tornados lol) and the weather is mostly constant

so really its just easier for everybody, but some people like it outside which is why the nhl winter classic should be here for awhile but as  it was seen this year the ice is worse and the game needs slight alterations for fairness but when inside its not needed