Texas Stars, San Antonio Rampage Announce Outdoor Game at Dell Diamond in 2015

(Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)
Ed. Note: Might want to check the date on this article before buying in too much...

The Texas Stars and San Antonio Rampage, in a joint press release today, announced their intent to play an outdoor hockey game at Round Rock's Dell Diamond in early 2015. The Dell Diamond is the home of Triple-A baseball's Round Rock Express from April to October and has a stated capacity of 8,722. It will be the first outdoor hockey game for either team and a huge spectacle to be sure.

"The Cedar Park Center is a great venue, but nothing beats playing outdoors," said Owen Newkirk, Texas Stars media director. Newkirk then went on for twenty minutes about his time playing shinny in Maine as a child.

The outdoor game will not be the first for the American Hockey League, which has hosted multiple games across the Northeast over the past few years. It will definitely be the first for the Lone Star State. Others have floated the possibility of a Dallas Stars game in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, but it looks like Texas beat them to the punch.

For those concerned about the weather, Los Angeles hosted an NHL outdoor game in 2014. For the record, the City of Angels has an average low temperature in January which is six degrees higher than the average low in Austin.

"We had more than a few ice days this past winter," added Newkirk.

The matchup against the Rampage makes a lot of sense, given how often the two have played each other and the proximity that will surely bring a lot of San Antonio fans up I-35 for the game. Nathan Mallett, who writes about the Rampage, quipped, "Anything so that we don't have to play in the Cedar Park Center!"

There are a lot of details still to be sorted out, but there are many possibilities on the table for the two franchises. According to reports, San Antonio is considering throwback Iguanas jerseys. Texas has floated the idea of a pre-game season ticket holder only barbecue at nearby Salt Lick Round Rock.

The Texas and Texas A&M hockey teams are slated to faceoff earlier in the day. Ticketholders for the AHL game will get into the college game for free. Local amateur league teams will take place in a to-be-determined contest to get a chance to play on the sheet. Details will be announced later in the summer.

It's going to be one of the best events this franchise has ever seen, and if you'd like tickets, I've got some great oceanfront property in Nebraska to sell you as well. Happy April Fool's Day!

Mike Hedden laughs in your general direction.
(Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)

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