A great fan base is a huge reason the Blackhawks are usually in the Winter Classic

I firmly believe Blackhawks fans are the best in hockey. I am not even trying to be biased here. When the NHL needs a team to headline a Winter Classic or Stadium Series, the league turns to the Blackhawks.

Since the 2003-2004 season, the NHL has staged 43 outdoor games. As of today, the Blackhawks lead all teams with seven outdoor appearances.

Out of those seven games, the Blackhawks have hosted four games.

Two games, including the most recent Winter Classic, took place at Wrigley Field, and another game in 2019 was hosted by the Blackhawks in South Bend at Notre Dame Stadium.

The Hawks also hosted a stadium series game in 2014 at Soldier Field.

There are numerous reasons the NHL continues to feature the Blackhawks in nationally televised events, but the most significant is their expansive and loyal fanbase.

On January 1st, 2009, the Blackhawks participated in the Winter Classic. It was also the first outdoor game the team hosted. The matchup against their longtime rivals, the Detroit Red Wings, proved to be one of the most iconic and popular Winter Classic games to date.

The aesthetics of this game proved to be top notch as well for those who appreciate the sweaters in this game paired with the views of the Friendly Confines. The Blackhawks were at the beginning of their ascent to greatness when this game took place which only increased viewership and attention from the fanbase.

Unfortunately, the Hawks took the L (as they did in every other Winter Classic), but that's not what we are here to argue. This game was still a historic moment for the city and the franchise.

The Blackhawks played in their first home Stadium Series game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field on March 1st, 2014. The weather at this game was absolutely ideal for an outdoor hockey game in the stadium where the Bears attempt to play football.

The Hawks were in the midst of their dynasty at this point and garnered much of the local and national media at this event. A big storyline at this time were the Olympic Games that had just completed. Two weeks prior, captain Jonathan Toews and Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby were teammates on the gold medal winning Canadian team. Now back to their NHL teams, these two captains got into a minor yet well-sought-after argument about one of Crosby's many infamous dives.

Additionally, Jonathan Toews showed out once again by scoring perhaps one of the filthiest outdoor goals that I have ever witnessed. The Hawks ended up winning this game and this was the only outdoor victory the team has ever won.

The last outdoor game hosted in the city of Chicago was this last season when the Blackhawks hosted the St. Louis Blues in the Winter Classic.

Obviously, the Blackhawks have not been a winning franchise for the last few years, but the NHL wanted to showcase one of their brightest young stars in Connor Bedard. The Hawks debuted another fantastic outdoor sweater and it looked great in Wrigley Field's second Winter Classic.

Unfortunately, the sweater was the best part of that game as the Blackhawks continued their losing ways.

Even with the Hawks struggles, it proved to the rest of the league that we are such a powerhouse as far as our fandom that the NHL would want to showcase one of the worst performing teams in the league. Hopefully, the next time that the Hawks participate, we are in the midst of another dynasty with all of our young prospects at the helm!