Anaheim Ducks and the Offspring bring punk rock energy onto the ice with Come Out and Play Night

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The Honda Center was electric with thousands of excited fans, all decked out in Anaheim Ducks gear. The moment the puck dropped, the players were off, skating quickly back and forth. Suddenly – a shot! – and the Ducks scored! But instead of the usual goal song, “We Will Rock You,” the arena blasted “Come Out and Play” by the Offspring, a famous punk band with roots in Orange County.

The Ducks are hosting their third annual Come Out and Play Night, partnering once again with the band for a night of hockey, music, and exclusive fan merchandise. The event is scheduled for Tuesday at the Honda Center when the Ducks play the Vancouver Canucks. This collaboration started in 2024, and while it was initially uncertain if it would continue, both the band and guitarist Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman hoped it would become a tradition. Noodles, who was speaking to The Times while on tour with Bad Religion, explained that teaming up with a team from their hometown, Orange County, felt like a natural fit. He said it’s been a great experience, and they’re happy to see it continue for a third year.

According to Merrit Tully, the Ducks’ senior vice president and chief marketing officer, the partnership with the Offspring developed naturally as the team was already moving in that direction.

About three years ago, we began focusing more on what it’s like to be at our games. This allowed us to reimagine the role of music – not just as background noise during breaks, but as a way to truly enhance the experience for everyone. Around the same time, we were approaching our 30th anniversary and wanted to celebrate our connection to Orange County. Collaborating with the band The Offspring felt like a natural fit, as they’re a local band who rose to fame around the same time our team was getting started. It genuinely felt like a perfect representation of our Orange County identity.

Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal, recently recognized as one of the NHL’s top players of the week, feels a strong connection to the band the Offspring. He explained that growing up in the Czech Republic, his parents often played punk rock and metal in the car on the way to his hockey practices. Hearing the Offspring now reminds him of those childhood memories.

Dostal enjoys listening to rock and alternative bands he grew up with, like Linkin Park. As an athlete, he relies on music as part of his daily routine, and that extends to the Ducks hockey team. He explained that the team listens to music every day before practices and games to get motivated. “Hearing those songs brings back a lot of good memories and really gets me energized,” he said.

If you enjoyed the previous Come Out and Play Nights, you can expect the same lively and energetic atmosphere – it’s a unique experience that feels like a concert and a hockey game combined. “Those nights had a really special energy – you could feel it on the ice,” said Dostal. “The fans were pumped up, the music was loud, and it felt like a memorable event for everyone there.”

Noodles concurred with Dostal, explaining that he sees a natural connection between punk rock and action sports like surfing, skating, and hockey. He pointed out that surfing and skating both combine graceful movement with moments of impact and physicality – a smooth ride can quickly turn into a rough collision. He sees a similar dynamic in hockey, where speed and agility coexist with intense physicality and potential for collisions.

After more than thirty years of success, the Offspring have had several professional athletes approach them as fans. Guitarist Noodles recalled one memorable experience where Dennis Rodman joined them onstage to perform their song, ‘Come Out and Play.’ He also mentioned that their producer, Bob Rock, a big hockey enthusiast, introduced the band to attending games for the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings.

Noodles from the Offspring shared his appreciation for the band’s multi-generational fanbase and the continued vibrancy of the Orange County music scene. He’s noticed a wider range of ages at their concerts lately, with younger kids now attending alongside their parents, which he finds really cool. He also commented on the health of the OC music scene, pointing out that while fans of the original bands are still around, a lot of new, younger bands are emerging. He enjoys attending shows by these newer groups, saying he appreciates being able to experience the music anonymously as just another fan in the crowd.

Dostal, the Ducks goalie, sees a strong connection between generations of fans – something he also observes with the Ducks’ fanbase. He enjoys collaborating with the Orange County band The Offspring because it brings together two local icons. He explained, “The Offspring are from here, the Ducks represent Orange County, and I’m thrilled to be a part of something that links them together.” Dostal also announced a special mask design created in collaboration with The Offspring will be unveiled during the Ducks’ game against the Canucks. He gave the band creative freedom, saying, “I worked with The Offspring, we brainstormed ideas, and I told them they could design whatever they wanted. I can’t wait for fans to see it!”

Ducks and Offspring fans are in for a memorable night where music and sports collide! The event is designed to create a unique experience, bringing together fans of both the team and the band. According to Tully, the real measure of success isn’t just ticket sales, but how fans react together during the event – like when the arena erupts with an Offspring song after a Ducks goal. That’s how they know the connection is genuine.

Dostal expressed his agreement and said he was honored to be part of the collaborative event, which he described as a celebration of the fans. He explained that The Offspring is a globally popular band, and he was grateful for the opportunity to represent that on the ice.

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2026-02-02 22:01