The National Hockey League announced on Sunday that the Tim
Horton’s Heritage Classic will feature the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Edmonton
Oilers on October 23, at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg.
The Tim Horton’s Heritage Classic outdoor game marks the
fourth one since 2003. The previous ones took place in Vancouver in 2014,
Calgary in 2011 and Edmonton in 2003. The 2016 game will mark the Jets first
appearance and the Oilers second in the Heritage Classic.
The Oilers hosted the first Heritage Classic at Commonwealth
Stadium in 2003.
As part of the 2016 Tim Horton’s Heritage Classic, legendary
players from both the Jets and the Oilers franchise history will participate in
an alumni game the night before the actual game on October 22. The league will
announce additional information regarding the event; from broadcast information,
to ticket prices, to the Jets’ priority ticketing information within the next
few months.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, “Outdoor NHL games create special memories for the teams, the players, the
fans and the host community. We are thrilled that the Jets, their fans and the
city of Winnipeg will launch the 2016-2017 outdoor season at Investors Group
Field.” He added, “Alumni games create
a unique brand of excitement, and so it is with great anticipation that we look
forward to seeing the returning Jets and Oilers getting together to rekindle
special memories.”
The matchup between Winnipeg and Edmonton pays tribute to
the shared hockey history with the two cities. The Oilers and the original Jets
entered the NHL together in 1979 as part of the four team expansion or merger
with the World Hockey Association.
Prior to joining the NHL, the Jets were the powerhouse of
the WHA making the championships in five of the seven seasons, while winning it
all three times. In the final WHA game, on May 20, 1979, the Jets defeated a
Wayne Gretzky led Oilers team 7-3 to win the title four games to two.
The rivalry has continued since both teams joined the NHL, but
the tides turned with the Oilers having more success. Between 1983 and 1990,
the teams have met in the Stanley Cup playoffs six times with the Oilers
winning all of those meetings. Edmonton also went on to win the Stanley Cup
five times in that same period.
Jets’ Executive Chairman and Governor, Mark Chipman said “The Winnipeg Jets are very excited that the
NHL has chosen to select Winnipeg as the host city for the 2016 Tim Hortons NHL
Heritage Classic. As an organization, we are looking forward to hosting this
momentous event in our city and showcase the passion the people of Manitoba
have for the game of hockey.”
Chipman added, “We
would like to thank the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
for helping organize this historic event for our city.”
Oilers Entertainment Group Vice-Chairman, Kevin Lowe said, “We are very excited to have another opportunity
to play in an outdoor game, the inaugural Heritage Classic held in Edmonton was
a huge success and something people will always remember. Although most people
talk about the Battle of Alberta throughout the eighties, games against the
Jets during that era were just as fierce.”
Special Assistant to the Executive Director of the National
Hockey League Players Association, Mathieu Schneider added, “The Tim Hortons Heritage Classic in
Winnipeg will be a great event for the Jets and Oilers. Players will get the experience
amazing experience to play outdoors in front of a packed Investors Group Field.
Tim Hortons Brand President, Elias Diaz Sese said, “Hockey is at the heart of Tim Hortons brand
heritage. We are very proud to help bring the excitement of outdoor NHL hockey
to Winnipeg through title sponsorship of the Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic.”
The Jets will become the 22nd NHL franchise to play
in an outdoor regular season game.
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