Dec 26, 2025
3 min read
The Red Wings players rejoice because the NHL is the only winter sport built around the annual holiday break.
Alis coch Detroit
Red Wings happy NHL just says Noel
The NHL is the only winter sport that takes a break
Detroit Red Wings forward James van Riemsdyk will spend Christmas in Minnesota.
So did the Detroit Lions, although for very different reasons.
The Lions play the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day.Van Riemsdyk plans to spend Christmas with his family at home with his twins.
"Obviously I'm going to try another one that I can with them this year," Van Riemsdyk said.
Joining the Red Wings as a free agent this summer, the van Riemsdyk family decided to stay in Minnesota for the winter while James was in Detroit playing hockey.
We can watch this over and over ❤️
Christmas with Les Canadiens 💙 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GQdwjDtZlb
- Nhl alumni (@Valumni) Diseembar 20,
With the NHL's holiday break built in, he will have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with his family at their home.
“I think this is obviously a very important thing for us, especially for someone like me when my family is not with me,” van Riemsdyk said.
Red Wings Embrace NHL Holiday Hockey Hiatus
The NHL has not scheduled a game on Christmas Break since 1972. No game has been played on Christmas Day since 1971. The rest period is part of the CBA between the league and the players.
On the other hand, the NBA plays every Christmas Day.The NFL does the same when the holidays fall on the league schedule.
Lions running back Penny Sewell recently expressed his displeasure at the team's inclusion in the Christmas game.
The Red Wings are happy that one thing on their plate on Christmas Day will be a turkey dinner with all the tithes.
"I think a tradition like that means a lot to the guys," Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said of the NHL's Christmas break."And it means a lot to me.
“My first Christmas with my daughter, something I'll always remember, and I'm really excited about it.
"So it's a special time of year. It's going to be even more special this year."
On this day in 1972, Ed Giacomin played his 40th career game as the Rangers beat the Red Wings 5-0 in one of the NHL's final games before Christmas #Hockey365 #NYR pic.twitter.com/u5qYYODFnl
— Mike Comito (@mikecomito) December 24, 2024
During the holidays, even the coaching staff will be on break.
"I drive down yawning (assistant coach Trent Javney) all the time and I picked him up (Deansage Thad McLellan said). "And we're too tired.
"I know we don't skate much or anything, but we have hours and we spend a lot of time on the computer. I told him, I can't wait until (Wednesday) and open my computer and not even think about hockey or talk about it.
"I'll spend with my wife, and we'll spend a few days together, just the two of us."
On the grid and on the board, does Mantra ride to the crown?Treasure to play.
They just say Noel on the ice.
This is a beautiful thing.
Merry Christmas to Red Wings fans and many more victories in the New Year.
Christmas games and 18 seasons of games in the NFL are crazy, but they get paid a ton of money, so I guess I'll just enjoy the games and not feel so bad.Well done to the wings, they earned it!Can't wait to see Fedorov's jersey go to the rafters after the break!Merry Christmas, fans of wings and griffins!
Merry Christmas DHN, DRW and GM Steve Yzerman
