Imagine, for a moment, Connor McDavid going full speed ahead and creating all sorts of offensive magic during an outdoor game early next season.
Yes, this means that the reports are true: the Winnipeg Jets get to host their outdoor game next season and McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.
Specifically, it’s the 2016 Heritage Classic, with the Jets hosting the Oilers at Investors Group Field on Oct. 23. This is the first time the league is christening an outdoor game as a Heritage Classic since 2014.
The Jets also announced that there will be an alumni game between Jets and Oilers greats, so perhaps we’ll get to see Teemu Selanne vs. Dynasty-era Oilers?
So Hawerchuk, Selanne and Gretzky headline Winnipeg's Heritage Classic alumni game #soldout
— gary lawless (@garylawless) March 6, 2016
Gretzky says Messier, Coffey, Kurri & Semenko have all confirmed for the #Oilers legends team. #HeritageClassic pic.twitter.com/osCFE30PUB
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 6, 2016
This is a nice nod to the Oilers, as well, who participated in an outdoor game before the Winter Classic and Stadium Series contests ran with the idea.
"It was a concept championed by the #Oilers." Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on @NHL outdoor games #HeritageClassic pic.twitter.com/N6xA02c3dh
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 6, 2016
It all sounds like great fun. For more details, click here.