NHL hopes to hold more outdoor games at service academies

Given the success of Saturday's Stadium Series contest between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals at the United States Naval Academy, it's understandable why the NHL hopes to host more games at American service academies in the future.

"It's unique and as we continue to move forward with the outdoor games, you look for new concepts and new themes and new things that'll interest the fans," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said, according to the Associated Press.

"Certainly the hope is, with a successful game (at Navy), we'll continue the venture with the Army and the Air Force and we'll see where we go from there."

Army's West Point in New York and the Air Force Academy in Colorado could be possible sites for future games.

At least two teams have major ties to the U.S. military - the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights, as ownership of the two clubs hold significant armed forces backgrounds. Either team could be a good fit for an outdoor game.

Saturday's contest at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. marked the NHL's 24th foray outdoors.