NHL announces its 2017 Centennial celebration schedule

TORONTO – The NHL announced plans for its centennial celebration beginning in 2017 with a number of events that will reach out to hockey fans in every market.

Along with the celebration calendar, the league announced that Wayne Gretzky has been named NHL Centennial Ambassador and will appear at various events throughout 2017.

The centennial party will end in November and December 2017 with events in the birthplace of the NHL, Montreal, and the site of the league’s first game, Ottawa.

Here’s the full calendar:

NHL Centennial Truck Tour (Jan. 1 – Dec. 2017) – This will visit all NHL markets throughout the year and include a 53-foot museum truck with “an interactive interior with original video content, exclusive memorabilia, and fan activations.” Also, there will be another 53-foot truck that will hold a big video screen for viewing parties and appearance from current and former players. A synthetic ice rink will be available for youth games and clinics. Toronto will get the first look at the Centennial Truck during the outdoor game on New Year’s Day.

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NHL Centennial Classic (Jan. 1) – Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field in Toronto. A list of the 100 Greatest Players from the NHL’s first 50 years will be unveiled.

Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade (Jan. 2) – The NHL and Los Angeles Kings will team up to have a float in the annual Rose Bowl parade ahead of the St. Louis Blues-Chicago Blackhawks Winter Classic game from Busch Stadium.

100 Greatest Players and Gala (NHL All Star Weekend, Los Angeles – Jan.) – According to the NHL, a “blue ribbon panel of distinguished members from across the hockey community – including former and current executives, media members and NHL alumni” has voted on the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history. The list will be unveiled during the Centennial Classic game in a special ceremony.

Stanley Cup Celebrations (March 15-18) – While the NHL turns 100, the Stanley Cup will turn the ripe old age of 125 and celebrations will begin in Ottawa.

Documentaries (March/November 2017) – Those Stanley Cup celebrations will include a documentary on the history of Lord Stanley’s gift to the league and one on the NHL’s 100-year history.

100 Iconic NHL Moments – Fall 2017 – The league will reveal the top events – goals, games, events, etc. — in its history.

NHL Time Capsule – Jan. – Dec. 2017 – This will not be an official time capsule, sadly. We were hoping to put a John Scott All-Star jersey in there. Instead, the NHL will broadcast milestones daily on all of its platforms.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy