Fresh off the huge success of the 4 Nations Face-Off comes the next big thing in NHL: The Stadium Series, an annual outdoor matchup moving hockey out of arenas and into stadiums since 2014. This year’s matchup features Michigan’s Detroit Red Wings facing off against Ohio’s Columbus Blue Jackets, a hockey-style rendition of the storied Ohio State-Michigan college football rivalry.
Front Row spoke with ESPN senior social media specialists Bryce Isaac and Patrick Truby to learn how ESPN Social is harnessing that rivalry spirit.
The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry extends far beyond football – it’s a way of life. For Isaac, a proud Ohio State alum, this game is a chance to showcase that passion on a new stage.
“This rivalry is every day, in every sport, in every year – even in academics,” Isaac said. The Social team plans to “create an experience that casual fans, hockey fans, and people across the world can enjoy, while shining a light on this rivalry that many live on the daily,” he added.
A primary social feature of this year’s Series: the creation of a custom goalie mask, an idea spearheaded by Truby.
Wanting to bring something tangible to fans and players, he found Brady Lambert, a renowned goalie mask artist who works with NHL teams like the Kraken and Sharks. Together, they designed a one-of-a-kind mask incorporating Ohio State and Michigan branding along with Stadium Series elements.
The winning team’s goalie will receive the mask, a tradition ESPN hopes will continue in future Stadium Series games. “In a perfect world, it becomes repeatable,” Patrick said. “It becomes something players will want, and if that happens, we can keep elevating it year after year.”
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For Bryce, this initiative is deeply personal. “I never imagined working on something like this,” he shared. “Between graduating from Ohio State, getting a job at ESPN, and now helping highlight the culture and community of Columbus and this rivalry – it makes me very grateful.”
At its core, this project is about more than just the game. It’s about deepening fan engagement, creating lasting traditions, and celebrating the skill and creativity of everyone involved. Through innovative storytelling and social content, ESPN’s team is ensuring this Stadium Series leaves a lasting impact.
