The NHL’s Heritage Classic will make a return to Winnipeg next year, and local sports enthusiasts, including a former Jets goaltender, anticipate that the outdoor hockey extravaganza will shine a positive spotlight on the city. The league revealed that Princess Auto Stadium will be transformed into an outdoor rink on October 25, 2026, for the clash between the Winnipeg Jets and the Montreal Canadiens in the upcoming Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic.
Reflecting on their experience at the last hometown Heritage Classic in 2016, Dan and Leanne Carlson recalled attending the alumni game. While the Jets suffered a 3-0 defeat against the Edmonton Oilers in the main event that year, the former Jets players secured a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Oilers alumni in the alumni game.
Leanne Carlson praised the vibrant atmosphere of the outdoor game, emphasizing its significance for showcasing the city and its enthusiastic fan base. Expressing their eagerness to attend next year’s Heritage Classic at home, Dan Carlson highlighted the anticipated attention the event will receive due to the presence of the Canadiens.
The 2016 Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. report indicates that the previous Heritage Classic attracted 11,000 visitors and generated approximately $11.2 million in direct tourism spending when it descended upon the city nearly a decade ago.
Richard Martin emphasized the significance of the Heritage Classic’s return to Winnipeg, considering it as a major event that contributes positively to the city’s reputation. As a past attendee of the Heritage Classic, Martin, a Blue Bombers season ticket-holder, expressed hopes for package deals for Winnipeg football enthusiasts.
Former Jets goalie Joe Daley lauded the forthcoming outdoor game as a unifying force for Winnipeg, bringing together hockey fans to witness the Jets face off against the Canadiens. Daley, optimistic about the matchup, anticipated an electrifying atmosphere at Princess Auto Stadium when the Canadiens visit next fall.
Daley highlighted the appeal of outdoor hockey, emphasizing its nostalgic charm and the unique experience it offers compared to indoor stadium games. He expressed gratitude for the return of such events, attributing them as beneficial to the organization and cherished by hockey franchises.