18 March 2017Senators to face Canadiens at outdoor NHL game at TD Place in December_ (Via Ottawa 2017) _ ** Ottawa – ** The Ottawa 2017 Bureau and Mayor Jim Watson are thrilled that an NHL centennial outdoor game will be held in Ottawa on Saturday, December 16, 2017, and congratulate the NHL for bringing this prestigious sporting event to Canada’s capital for the first time. “I’m extremely proud to welcome the NHL100 Classic™ to Ottawa in celebration of the 100thanniversary of the very first NHL game, which took place in the nation’s capital in 1917. Holding this outdoor game has been a dream since we started planning our Ottawa 2017 celebrations,’’ said Mayor Jim Watson. ‘’I know I speak for the millions of hockey fans across Canada and in our city when I say there is no better way to honour our national sport during such a historic year.’’ Ottawa 2017 will support the event by offsetting a portion of the municipal services required to host the game. In addition, Ottawa 2017 will help create a festive spirit across the city by assisting with pageantry and special outdoor projections. “We commend the NHL for their leadership in bringing the NHL100 Classic™ to Ottawa as it will greatly add to the excitement of the celebrations planned in our city for Canada’s 150thbirthday and help cap-off the year of festivities in a spectacular way” said Guy Laflamme, Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau. “This announcement solidifies Ottawa’s role as the epi-centre of Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations and ensures global visibility for our nation’s capital.” Canada’s 150thanniversary celebrations will offer Canadians and visitors from around the world an exceptional and memorable year of high-caliber experiences while bringing a record number of visitors to Ottawa in 2017 to celebrate this important milestone for our country. Stay informed on plans for Canada’s 150thbirthday celebrations in the capital. Visit ottawa2017.ca , follow us on Twitter @2017ottawa (#Ottawa2017) and on Facebook .