Early reports dating back to December 2014 by TSN's Bob McKenzie indicated that Boston was the league's first choice in hosting the game.

[4] To accommodate the event, Gillette Stadium's primary tenant, the New England Patriots, played the last two games of their 2015 season on the road.

In his first game since suffering a hand injury on November 22, Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher recorded a goal and an assist.

Bruins' former anthem singer Rene Rancourt performed O Canada and The Star-Spangled Banner at the alumni game.

The game was televised in the United States on NBC, with commentators Mike Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, and Pierre McGuire.

The national anthems were performed by Montreal-based rock band Simple Plan (O Canada sung in English and French) and The Voice season 9 winner Jordan Smith, accompanied by the Boston Pops (The Star-Spangled Banner).