Both the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets released their uniforms for October’s Heritage Classic game and the rosters for an alumni game between the teams.
Next: 25 Richest NHL Players of All-Time
This October, the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets will take the ice out in the elements in just the 19th outdoor regular season game played in the history of the NHL (and one of four outdoor games scheduled for the 2016-17 season).
Like other outdoor games in both Canada and the United States, the two teams will go with a different uniform as a way to honor their past – and get people to spend money on buying the new threads. For the game inside Investors Group Field located in Winnipeg, both teams will be celebrating their roots in the WHA for this year’s Heritage Classic contest:
The official @NHLJets uniforms for the NHL #HeritageClassic. A proper throwback indeed. pic.twitter.com/6WGD26RoTk
— NHL (@NHL) August 5, 2016
The @EdmontonOilers will return to their roots and rock these sweaters for the NHL #HeritageClassic. pic.twitter.com/oE3GKgDvPA
— NHL (@NHL) August 5, 2016
Edmonton is getting ripped by some fans who think they went the easy way out and are just wearing their alternate uniforms, instead of doing something to either throwback to the 1970s or even the dominant decade of the 1980s.
Speaking of that dominant decade, both teams also revealed the rosters for the alumni game that will take place before the current players take the ice. While the Jets will have Teemu Selanne, Dale Hawerchuk and Dave Babych, the Oilers are probably going to destroy them since Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and Grant Fuhr are among those who have signed up to play.
In the other three outdoor games this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings will meet on New Year’s Day in Toronto while the St. Louis Blues will take on the Chicago Blackhawks on January 2nd inside Busch Stadium. The final game will be on February 18, when the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Philadelphia Flyers inside of Heinz Field.