“You can have an idea, but to actually make it reality, you need all of these people involved,” said Greg Mueller, vice president of NHL creative services. “The integration of those ideas is really what makes it work. We’re lucky we work with, I would say, the best team in sports. It’s an incredible group of people.”
This will be the first NHL outdoor game in the Sunshine State, and the theme will be “Snowy Winter Comes to Sunny Florida.”
Schettino designed the main logo, which is simple and says it all. It has the trademark “Winter” script, but “Classic” is in pink neon, inspired by the Art Deco hotels on South Beach. A palm tree is dusted in snow.
“It creates a conversation,” Schettino said. “When people see the logo, they go, ‘Well, how are you going to do that in Miami?'”
That question will be answered by the ice crew, but the Miami-ice contrast will be central to the scene and show. It’ll be sunny Florida on the left, the Panthers’ side, and snowy winter on the right, the Rangers’ side.
On the left, each face-off dot will feature a sunshine design. The field will look like it’s covered in sand, and there will be a street hockey rink and a lifeguard tower. Actors will have fun in the sun.
On the right, each face-off dot will feature a snowflake design. The field will look like it’s covered in snow, and there will be a synthetic ice rink and an all-terrain vehicle with a plow. Actors will frolic in a winter wonderland.
