• by Tanya Gazdik , December 15, 2022

The National Hockey League is expected to announce details today of its annual NHL winter event, including several new sponsors. 

The sports league is also planning the NHL Winter Classic Plaza, the official fan event of the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic in Boston. 

A dozen official NHL partners are activating this year, which is on par with recent NHL Winter Classic fan events. New partners for 2022 are BioSteel, Caterpillar, DraftKings, Extreme Networks and Fanatics.

The free two-day festival is open to the public. 

On Dec. 30 and 31, the NHL and its corporate partners will offer hockey fans interactions including autograph sessions featuring current and former Boston Bruins greats, family-friendly hockey interactive displays and giveaways.

The outdoor fan festival serves as a preview of the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic, the ticketed outdoor game between the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins at Fenway Park on Jan. 2.

Naming sponsor Discover hosts an activation featuring a giant air hockey table. In addition, the activation will include a 20-foot 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic drop trailer that will be open to distribute premium items and will host display cases with memorabilia that fans can explore. Hockey fans can pose for a shareable photo opportunity on Discover’s ice throne.

Honda, the official automotive partner of the NHL in the U.S., will display vehicles at Boston City Hall. Fans can also visit Honda at the NHL Winter Classic Plaza to try their luck at the Honda Puck Drop game or show off their hockey skills with Goalie Power Play to win prizes.

Other sponsors with activations include sports hydration brand BioSteel, which will feature a mini ice rink and give out samples.