The NHL has postponed next year's Winter Classic and All-Star Weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 2021 Winter Classic featuring the Minnesota Wild and St Louis Blues was scheduled for January 1, while the Florida Panthers were due to host the All-Star Weekend from January 29-30.
But the NHL announced the postponements on Thursday amid the ongoing uncertainty caused by COVID-19.
The NHL, though, is still planning to begin the 2020-21 season on or around New Year's Day.
"Fan participation, both in arenas and stadiums as well as in the ancillary venues and events that we stage around the Winter Classic and All-Star Weekend, is integral to the success of our signature events," said NHL senior executive vice-president and chief content officer Steve Mayer.
"Because of the uncertainty as to when we will be able to welcome our fans back to our games, we felt that the prudent decision at this time was to postpone these celebrations until 2022 when our fans should be able to enjoy and celebrate these tentpole events in-person, as they were always intended.
"We are also considering several new and creative events that will allow our fans to engage with our games and teams during this upcoming season."
The 2019-20 NHL season was suspended in March due to the coronavirus crisis before a shortened campaign resumed behind closed doors in "hub cities" – Toronto and Edmonton – in August.
The Tampa Bay Lightning were crowned Stanley Cup champions as the season ended on September 28.
Source- OPTA
