Heritage Classic to bring back childhood memories for Oilers, create new ones

As a youngster growing up in the greater Toronto area, Connor McDavid had a go-to outdoor spot where he would dedicate countless hours honing his skills and perfecting his craft.

“Aurora, Ontario, had this incredible park, which was actually originally a baseball diamond that they would freeze over in the winter,” McDavid shared. “It was conveniently located just across from the community center. The place was massive, and there were occasions when I’d have the entire rink to myself. But there were also times when it was packed, and you had to carve out your own little area. Regardless, it holds a treasure trove of cherished memories. I fondly remember going there with my brother, family, and friends after school. The outdoor rink is just filled with so many incredible memories.”

In addition to the community rink, McDavid’s family created their very own backyard rink, where he and his older brother Cameron would often glide along the ice. Unfortunately, this backyard sanctuary was short-lived.

“Eventually, my dad faced the decision of choosing between a deck with a hot tub or maintaining the outdoor rink,” McDavid confessed. “Needless to say, the deck and hot tub won out, and my mother might have had a hand in the decision-making process as well. So, that marked the end of our backyard rink.”

Despite sustaining an upper-body injury on October 21, which was predicted to keep him out of play for 1-2 weeks, McDavid’s availability for the Sunday game was not entirely ruled out by Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft.

The upcoming 2023 Heritage Classic will serve as a tribute to the 20th anniversary of the first-ever NHL regular-season game played outdoors. This historic event took place on November 22, 2003, at Commonwealth Stadium, where the Montreal Canadiens triumphed over the Oilers with a final score of 4-3. Since then, outdoor games have become a beloved and highly favored tradition, with 37 games having been played to date, captivating both fans and players alike.

“It’s an absolute blast,” expressed Oilers forward Zach Hyman, who has participated in multiple NHL outdoor games. “It doesn’t feel like a typical regular-season game; it’s an experience of its own. There are so many elements that make it special. You have family skates, media involvement, unique equipment and attire. The whole day is different, sometimes you’re waiting for sunlight, sometimes you’re waiting for other factors to fall into place. There are numerous variables that prevent you from following your usual routine.”

Hyman has been a part of two previous NHL outdoor games. In 2017, he contributed to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ exhilarating 5-4 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings in the Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. The following year, Hyman and the Maple Leafs participated in the 2018 NHL Stadium Series held at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, unfortunately losing to the Washington Capitals with a score of 5-2.

“These games are an absolute blast. Putting on brand-new gear, wearing clothes designed to keep you warm, it’s an entirely different experience that I absolutely love,” Hyman enthused. “It reminds me of my childhood and playing outdoors. The atmosphere is unparalleled compared to a traditional indoor arena. You’re surrounded by enthusiastic fans, sometimes there’s snowfall…it’s simply incredible.”