Fans Refreshed Responsibly at 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic

01/04/2019

The NHL, Coors Light and TEAM Coalition promoted responsible drinking at the events surrounding the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter ClassicTM at Millennium Park in Chicago, IL and at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN.

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For the three days leading up the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter ClassicTM on January 1, 2019, 1,035 NHL fans made the pledge never to drive drunk, always to have a designated driver and never to provide alcohol to anyone under age at Winter Classic Park in Millennium Park in Chicago, IL. “Refresh Responsibly. Get Home Safe.” was the message. Hockey fans added their names to the Responsibility Puck – an 8-foot replica of an official NHL puck – to demonstrate their commitment to keeping the penalties on the ice and off the roads. Fans shared their digital photos and the responsibility message by  posting photos on Facebook and Twitter. The 534 photos taken at Winter Classic Park were viewed 1083 times, an average of 2 views per photo.

Every fan who made the pledge and signed the puck had the opportunity to receive a souvenir photo. All responsible fans were entered to win a prize pack – including a $50 Shop.NHL.com gift card and branded items from Coors Light and TEAM Coalition – proving that Responsibility Has Its Rewards®.

On game day, an additional 233 fans pledged to be designated drivers at the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter ClassicTM at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. In total, 1,268 NHL fans refreshed responsibly.


We believe that the only way to celebrate is to do so responsibly. Through our partnerships with Uber and our designated driver programs with the NHL and TEAM Coalition, we are making sure that beer drinkers have a range of options to get home safely and prevent drunk driving.Diane Wagner, Alcohol Responsibility Manager, MillerCoors

The success of the ‘Responsibility Has Its Rewards’ campaign is a direct result of the commitment from our members and all the responsibility program partners, including the leagues, venues, brewers and beer distributors. Teamwork is what this campaign is all about. We are demonstrating that when everyone – including the fans – takes responsibility, everyone wins.Jill Pepper, Executive Director, TEAM Coalition

Drunk driving prevention is the top priority for TEAM Coalition and all its 22-member organizations, which include the NHL and MillerCoors.

NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League’s international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters, vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Every year the NHL entertains more than 250 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 10 million fans on its social platforms; and more than 300 million fans online at NHL.com. In Canada, the 2014-15 season marks the beginning of a landmark 12-year broadcast and multimedia agreement with Rogers Communications, which includes national rights to NHL games on all platforms in all languages. In the U.S., the NHL is in the fourth season of its 10-year agreement with NBC and NBCSN, the 10th consecutive season both networks have served as national television partners. The NHL is committed to giving back to the community with programs including: Hockey is for Everyone™, which supports nonprofit youth hockey organizations across North America; Hockey Fights Cancer™, raising money for local and national cancer organizations; NHL Green™, which is committed to pursuing sustainable business practices; and a partnership with the You Can Play Project, which is committed to supporting the LGBT community and fighting homophobia in sports. The NHL received three 2014 Sports Business Awards: “Sports League of the Year,” “Sports Executive of the Year” recognizing Commissioner Gary Bettman, and “Sports Event of the Year” for the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®. For more information, visit NHL.com.

MillerCoors
Through its diverse collection of storied breweries, MillerCoors brings American beer drinkers an unmatched selection of the highest quality beers, flavored malt beverages and ciders, steeped in centuries of brewing heritage. Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company brew national favorites such as MillerLite, Miller High Life, Coors Light and Coors Banquet. MillerCoors also proudly offers beers such as Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy from sixth-generation Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, and Blue Moon Belgian White from modern craft pioneer Blue Moon Brewing Company, founded in 1995. Beyond beer, MillerCoors operates Crispin Cider Company, an artisanal maker of pear and apple ciders using fresh-pressed American juice, and offers pioneering brands such as the Redd’s franchise, Smith & Forge Hard Cider and Henry’s Hard Sodas. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, our craft and import division, is the home to craft brewers Hop Valley Brewing, Revolver Brewing, Saint Archer Brewing Company and the Terrapin Beer Company. Tenth and Blake also imports world-renowned beers such as Italy’s Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the Czech Republic’s Pilsner Urquell and the Netherlands’ Grolsch. MillerCoors, the U.S. business unit of the Molson Coors Brewing Company, has an uncompromising dedication to quality, a keen focus on innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter at @MillerCoors.

TEAM Coalition
TEAM Coalition is an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service providers, the beer industry, distillers, broadcasters, traffic safety experts and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities. TEAM Coalition members and supporters include the National Hockey League, MillerCoors, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Americrown, Aramark, Delaware North Sportservice, Legends, Spectra, Beer Institute, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Constellation Brands, Live Nation, National Association of Broadcasters, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information, go to TEAMCoalition.org or FansDontLetFansDriveDrunk.org.

NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark NHL Winter Classic are registered trademarks and the NHL Winter Classic logo is a trademark of the National Hockey League. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved.