Thursday, April 7, 2016

Edmonton Oilers Close Out Rexall Place After 42 Years





The Edmonton Oilers bid adieu to the place they called home for 42 years Wednesday night with a 6-2 victory over the Vancouver Canuks. 

After 1558 National Hockey League games and 221 World Hockey Association games at Rexall Place, formerly known as Northlands Coliseum. The Oilers dropped the puck at a 5:00 PM local time, so that they could hold the festivities with all of the past and current players at the conclusion of the game. 

150 Oiler alumni were on hand to help close out the building in style. Most of them arriving to Rexall Place by mid-morning on Wednesday. Many of them took part in the morning reception, midday outdoor civic rally and a tour of the lockkeroom. 

The evening began with a rousing rendition, of the late Paul Lorieau, singing “O Canada.” Lorieau, had sung the Canadian Anthem in the build from 1981-2011. The fans even joined in, singing the anthem the anthem, along with the pre-recorded rendition on the jumbotron. 

Former Oiler legend, Mark Messier said, “You think about all of the different events that happened here, not only the hockey games, but all of the other emotions and events that happened here, it is going to be a powerful night for the city of Edmonton.”

Messier added, “For me, seeing the building built, seeing Gordie Howe here when I was a kid, Bobby Hull and all the greats in the WHA, being able to fulfil my dream in the National Hockey League, here in my hometown, would have never thought that was a possibility when I was growing up.”
 
He also said, “I was here from the start, but for fans, for every one of the guys who put the sweater on, for everyone who have worked for the organization, in one form or another, it is going to be a powerful night. And it is incredible how a building can take on a personality. It has taken on a personality because of the great moments that have happened here.”
 
Messier’s number 11 hangs from the rafters of Rexall Place, along with six other legends. Wayne Gretzkys number 99 was the second jersey raised to the rafters, 19 years after Al Hamilton’s number three had been raised to the roof. 

Gretzky name pretty much is all over Rexall Place’s record book, with 316 goals, 566 assists and 902 points in the building. Jari Kurri, Grant Fuhr, Paul Coffey and Glenn Anderson also had their jerseys retired in the old barn. 

The first NHL goal scored in the building came off of the stick of Oiler forward Blair MacDonald, in the first period of the game on October 13, 1979.  The final goal in the history of the arena, was scored at the 18:03 mark of the final frame on April 6, 2016, by the Oilers Leon Draisaitl, on the powerplay. 

For about a minute before the final horn sounded at 7:45 PM, local time, the fans remained on their feet giving a rousing ovation. The Oilers would salute the crowd with their sticks raised following the final horn, as would all of the honored guests following the closing ceremonies almost two and a half hours later. 

The post-game ceremony, included blue carpet over the ice and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at one end of the rink, with the whole ensemble clad in tuxedos, except for the percussionist, who had an Oilers jersey on. The parade of guests began at about 8:20 PM, Edmonton time. 

2015 first round pick, Connor McDavid, who was born about 22 years after the old barn opened, made his way out on the ice to a loud ovation from the crowd. The building became loud again a short time later, when Oilers 1990’s hero, Ryan Smyth made his way into the ceremony. 

After Smyth, a galaxy of Oilers legends from throughout the 1980’s made their way out. Messier walked out to a loud chant of “Moooooose.” Just before 9:00, Number 99, “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, made his way down the carpet. 

Following the parade of stars, the Oilers also honored all of the Oilers stars and legends that have passed on with a video tribute, accompanied by the organist playing, Procol Harum’s “A White Shade of Pale.” Which was then followed by a few on-ice interviews with some of the former Oilers’ that have called the old barn home, the past four decades. 

To conclude the night, the “Farewell Banner” was lowered to Aaron Copeland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.” For most of the blue-collar life in Edmonton, Rexall Place had been a sense of the community that it served, and its hockey team’s work ethic helped make it a pre-dominant force for many of its early years. 

Next fall the Oilers will open their new home, Rogers Place. They hope that if they can duplicate what they did during the 1980’s, they will turn out, just fine for many years to come.    

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