Oilers, Jets alumni ‘excited to be here’ for Heritage Classic

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This article was published 20/10/2016 (3260 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kris King has a dual role at this weekend’s Heritage Classic in Winnipeg.

The 50-year-old is the NHL’s senior vice-president of hockey operations and it’s his job to supervise everything going on at Investors Group Field, site of Sunday’s regular-season game between the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers, as well as Saturday’s Alumni Classic. He’s also on the Jets alumni roster.

“It’s going to be a heckuva weekend,” said King. “Lots of people were calling. Didn’t realize I had so many friends in Winnipeg that didn’t seem to have tickets.”

King was captain of the Jets when the club was sold and moved to Phoenix after the 1995-96 season.

He sees the Heritage Classic as a payoff for Winnipeg, capping a process set in motion by the transfer of the Atlanta Thrashers to Manitoba prior to the 2011-12 season.

“(Jets co-owner and governor) Mark Chipman did a lot to get this team back. He cared about his community, he cared about his team,” King said Thursday. “He cared about the people here and how much they missed their NHL hockey.

“I think (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman, in his wisdom, knew he owed Mark something and that may have been the genesis of this game. It’s great for the fans. Everybody’s excited about (Oilers star Connor) McDavid and (Jets counterparts Patrik) Laine and (Mark) Scheifele and the big game on Sunday, but there’s as many people excited about the alumni guys coming back.

“Speaking for the alumni, we’re just as excited to be here. It was bittersweet when we left. We knew we had to go as players and that trip to Phoenix was a hard one.”

King said filling an alumni roster was a tricky proposition for captain Dale Hawerchuk. There were many former players eager to participate, but a limited number of openings.

“When you can (only) ice 22 guys, it’s a tough decision,” said King. “I’m sure there are some guys that are disappointed, but to Mark’s credit and the rest of the people at the Jets, they invited anybody back who wanted to come. Even though they can’t be on the ice, they can be part of it.”

At last report, IGF is not sold out for the weekend’s festivities. 

“A little bit surprised,” said King. “I know there are a few tickets — not very many (left)… I’m hoping that people thought they couldn’t get tickets… I totally have faith there won’t be an empty seat here come the weekend, especially when they hear I’m on the power play.”

 

Working outdoors

Jets forward Blake Wheeler has played in the outdoors before and he’ll use the experience to make an equipment change Sunday, wearing a tinted visor.

Expect a number of players such as Mathieu Perreault to wear eye black to combat the sun’s glare. All of the Jets will wear red pants, part of the throwback-themed uniforms designed for the event.

“Really cool experience,” said Wheeler, recalling the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park when he was a member of the Boston Bruins. “It was sometimes tough for the fans to see so when we scored, it took about five seconds for everyone to react.”

Winnipeg goalie Michael Hutchinson has a new throwback mask to wear if he gets the start Sunday.

“I was at Shooter’s driving range and I saw the mini-golf statue of Bob Essensa there and Bob was my goalie coach in Boston,” said Hutchinson, explaining the design that mimicks the style of a mask worn by the former Jets netminder.

“I sent him a text to ask him if he’d mind if I did a replica of his mask. It was a cool idea.”

Hutchinson has experience playing outdoors. In 2010-11, his first season as a pro with the AHL’s Providence Bruins, he played in an outdoor game at the University of Connecticut’s football stadium. 

“It’s been a while, but you kinda know what to expect and know the elements kinda play a different factor,” he said. “Especially if it’s windy, there can be some extra movement of the puck.”

 

Watching weather

Wind and rain can wreak havoc with an outdoor game, but organizers of the Heritage Classic are not expecting any major difficulties.

“We definitely watch real closely what the weather is gonna be,” said Mike Craig, the NHL’s senior manager of facilities. “… We’re definitely watching more and more closely as we get to the big games and we’ll be able to prepare for what comes then.”

Heavy precipitation is a worst-case scenario.

“We’re expecting a little bit, but we should be able to deal with that with the amount that’s coming,” said Craig, who is expecting mainly cloudy conditions. “I think, for the most part, that should be overnight (or) early morning. We should be able to deal with that.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14