Winter Classic Alumni Game: Blackhawks vs. Blues on CSN

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Before the Blackhawks and Blues go head-to-head on Jan. 2 in the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, alumni from both sides will collide at Busch Stadium in the annual Alumni Game.

Here's what you need to know:

How to watch:

— CSN will have you covered beginning at 1:30 p.m. (Live streaming will NOT be available). You can catch a re-air of the game at 7 p.m. on CSN+ (Channel finder here).

— FOX Sports Midwest’s Blues TV announcer John Kelly will handle the play-by-play duties alongside NHL Network's Mike Rupp, who will serve as the color analyst. CSN's Pat Boyle will provide in-game, rink side reporters and player interviews from the Blackhawks bench.

Who's playing?

Blackhawks roster: Adrian Aucoin, Murray Bannerman, Adam Burish, Kyle Calder, Daniel Carcillo, Jim Cummins, Eric Daze, Ben Eager, Reggie Kerr, Steve Konroyd, Dave Mackey, Jamal Mayers, Grant Mulvey, Troy Murray, Brian Noonan, Jack O’Callahan, Darren Pang, Steve Poapst, Reid Simpson, Brent Sopel, Jimmy Waite 

Blackhawks coaching staff: Tony Esposito, Cliff Koroll

Blues roster: Bruce Affleck, Martin Brodeur, Jeff Brown, Garth Butcher, Gino Cavallini, Paul Cavallini, Kelly Chase, Dallas Drake, Bernie Federko, Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, Barret Jackman, Mike Liut, Al MacInnis, Chris Mason, Scott Mellanby, Adam Oates, Larry Patey, Chris Pronger, Jamie Rivers, Bryce Salvador, Ed Staniowski, Peter Stastny, Keith Tkachuk, Pierre Turgeon, Terry Yake, Scott Young

Blues coaching staff: Red Berenson, Bob Plager, Brian Sutter, Gary Unger

A few storylines:

— The biggest name participating in the event is Wayne Gretzky, also known as "The Great One." He's the NHL's all-time leading scorer with 2,857 points. Gretzky's stint with the Blues was brief, playing in only 18 games during the 1995-96 campaign after being traded to St. Louis midseason by Los Angeles.

— CSN hockey analysts Steve Konroyd and Jamal Mayers will be among the former Blackhawks suiting up. Konroyd scored 10 goals and added 47 assists in 251 regular-season games with Chicago and helped the team reach the Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers in 1989-90.

Mayers was drafted by the Blues in the fourth round (No. 89 overall) of the 1993 NHL Draft, and spent 10 seasons in St. Louis, but won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2013. He compiled 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 100 regular-season games across two seasons with Chicago.

— Darren Pang currently serves as the color commentator for the Blues, and has been in that role since 2009. On Saturday though, he'll return to the other side of the rivalry. Pang signed with the Blackhawks as an undrafted free agent in August 1984, and broke through with Chicago four years later when he played in 45 games. He also set a franchise record with six assists during the 1987-88 season. To add some flavor to the game, Pang will be one of a handful of players that will be mic'd up throughout Saturday's alumni game.

Winter Classic information:

Throughout the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 2, CSNChicago.com's "Blackhawks Talk" section will be presenting extensive coverage of all the surrounding festivities with up-to-the-minute reports from Pat Boyle (@CSNBoyle) and via CSNChicago.com’s Blackhawks Insider Tracey Myers (@TramyersCSN), along with comprehensive pre/post-game reports from Blackhawks digital reporter Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis). 

The game between the Blackhawks and Blues will be carried live on NBC with live opening faceoff coverage beginning at 12 p.m. CSN will provide complete post-game coverage details, highlights, interviews, and much more later that evening on SportsTalk Live at 5:30 p.m. and In the Loop at 6 p.m.

From a social media standpoint, fans are urged to follow the network’s Blackhawks Twitter account (@CSNBlackhawks) and the network’s primary Twitter home (@CSNChicago) for up-to-the-second gamedetails, clips, photos, and more. Plus, fans also get interactive during the game by utilizing the Twitter hashtag #HawksTalk.

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