Historical eventFebruary 21954

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings played in the first outdoor hockey game by any NHL team in an exhibition against the Marquette Branch Prison Pirates in Marquette, Michigan.

Everything on February 2Original source

In context

When
Tuesday, February 2 195472 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
20th century · 1950s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

At a glance

Dates: From 1954.

What came beforeAI-assisted

The NHL had operated exclusively indoors since its founding in 1917, playing all games in enclosed arenas. Outdoor hockey remained largely confined to amateur and recreational play on frozen lakes and ponds.

Catalyst / how it startedAI-assisted

The Detroit Red Wings organized an exhibition game against the Marquette Branch Prison Pirates as a promotional event and novelty. The outdoor setting in Marquette, Michigan provided a unique opportunity to showcase professional hockey in an unconventional venue.

Who was involvedAI-assisted

The Detroit Red Wings, an established NHL franchise, faced off against the Marquette Branch Prison Pirates, a team composed of inmates. The game took place in Marquette, Michigan, home to the state prison.

TimelineAI-assisted

February 2, 1954: The Detroit Red Wings played the first outdoor NHL exhibition game against the Marquette Branch Prison Pirates in Marquette, Michigan.

What happened

The Detroit Red Wings played in the first outdoor hockey game by any NHL team in an exhibition against the Marquette Branch Prison Pirates in Marquette, Michigan.

February 2 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1954Detroit Red Wings
  2. 2000Digital cinema
  3. 2004Roger Federer
  4. 2004Tennis
  5. 2005Government of Canada
  6. 2007Derby di Sicilia
  7. 2007Catania football riot
  8. 2009Omid
  9. 2012MV Rabaul Queen
  10. 2021Tatmadaw
  11. 2025Slovenia

Also in 1954

  • September 91954 Chlef earthquakeA magnitude-6.7 earthquake struck near Chlef, killing over 1,200 people and forcing the Algerian government to implement comprehensive re…
  • September 15The Seven Year ItchThe scene in The Seven Year Itch of Marilyn Monroe standing in a white dress over a subway grate was filmed by Billy Wilder.
  • June 14Dwight D. EisenhowerU.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a bill into law that places the words "under God" into the United States Pledge of Allegiance.
  • September 3People's Liberation ArmyThe People's Liberation Army begins shelling the Republic of China-controlled islands of Quemoy, starting the First Taiwan Strait Crisis.
  • July 5Elvis PresleyElvis Presley recorded his first single, "That's All Right", at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.
  • July 311954 Italian expedition to K2A team of Italian climbers became the first to reach the summit of K2, the world's second-highest mountain.
  • July 17First Indochina WarFirst Indochina War: Viet Minh troops successfully ambush the armoured French column 'G.M. 42' in the Battle of Chu Dreh Pass in the Cent…
  • July 22Declaration of martial law in Russell County, AlabamaA limited state of martial law was declared in Russell County, Alabama, due to organized crime.

Everything we record for 1954 →

Sources

Cite this page

“Detroit Red Wings”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/detroit-red-wings-1954-february-2, accessed October 26, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did Detroit Red Wings happen?

February 2 1954 — 72 years ago, on a Tuesday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints. Panels marked AI-assisted were filled where the sources left a heading empty.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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