Ottawa mayor 'cautiously optimistic' about outdoor game at TD Place

While the Canadian federal government nixed hopes of an outdoor game on Parliament Hill, Ottawa mayor Jim Watson remains hopeful for a game at TD Place, the city's CFL stadium.

Watson pitched his plan to Ottawa Senators' owner Eugene Melnyk at a Thursday meeting. The mayor hopes the team will consider TD Place after being denied the Parliament Hill site, despite what many believe was a 'go big or go home' strategy by the hockey club.

"I came back from that meeting cautiously optimistic as I laid out exactly why we would like to have the game," Watson told TSN 1200. "Mr. Melnyk is going to give some thought to that. I think he was disappointed that it wasn't going to be on the Hill, and he didn't want to just have another run of the mill stadium game. My pitch to him is that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate the centennial of the first NHL game that took place in our own city.

"Ottawa was the place where the very first NHL game took place in December 1917 between the (Montreal) Canadiens and the Senators. And that's why I've been almost obsessed with working to try to get an outdoor classic to end our 2017 celebration with such a significant anniversary."

While 2017 is the 100th anniversary of the NHL, it also marks a host of celebrations for Ottawa, including the 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation, the 100th anniversary of the first NHL game in Ottawa, 50 years of the OHL's Ottawa 67's, and 25 years since the Senators rejoined the NHL in 1992.

"When the Hill option was closed, I thought the most logical idea would be to have it at TD Place, because the extra seats are already going to be up for the Grey Cup (Ottawa hosts the 105th Grey Cup next season)," Watson added. "We just keep them up a little bit longer."

Despite a bevy of outdoor games in recent years, Watson believes the event still offers a unique experience.

"I don't think the novelty has worn off," Watson said. "The very fact that's it's never been held here, and we also have the historical note of the first game, I could see the Canadiens coming in old school jerseys, taking the train up from Montreal, and turning it into a real event, not just a game."