The NHL has revealed that the 2024 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 29 (5 p.m. MT, SN, TVAS, TBS, B/R Sports on Max), will put the spotlight on a range of captivating elements. The event will celebrate the historic “Battle of Alberta” rivalry between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, mark the 20th anniversary of the NHL’s inaugural outdoor game, showcase Edmonton’s “The Oil Capital of Canada” slogan, pay tribute to Alberta’s Indigenous community, and feature performances by homegrown talents Nickelback and Brett Kissel. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster, the NHL’s official ticketing partner.
The 2024 Tim Hortons NHL #HeritageClassic to celebrate Alberta through field design, entertainment and cultural performances.
Full Details: https://t.co/hS8Af4bWOJ pic.twitter.com/t8JpkJ9MlY
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 18, 2024
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A rendering released by the NHL today offers a glimpse into the transformation of Commonwealth Stadium for the Oilers-Flames outdoor hockey matchup. The design incorporates visual elements aimed at engaging hockey enthusiasts and creating lasting memories. This includes larger-than-life player illustrations donning vintage uniforms, depicting the enduring “Battle of Alberta” against the backdrop of Edmonton’s oil-rich landscape. The left side (north) of the field features iconic oil field piping and derrick graphics, paying homage to Edmonton and Alberta’s historical significance in the oil industry and the Oilers’ namesake.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the inaugural NHL Heritage Classic game at Commonwealth Stadium, a prominent 20th-anniversary medallion is featured on the right side of the field and on faceoff dot markers on the rink. Specially created Calgary and Edmonton team-themed striping and logos adorn the area below the rink, exclusive to this event, and flank the NHL-branded entertainment stage beneath center ice. An auxiliary rink, featuring the Tim Hortons logo, is situated between the player illustrations and will host young players from a local Edmonton Timbits team.
The pregame entertainment will be led by the Canadian indie rock band The Rural Alberta Advantage, who will perform during player introductions for the Oilers and Flames and continue as the house band throughout the event. The Oilers’ Drum and Brass Crew and a rotation of Indigenous performers, including drumlines and dancers, will keep fans entertained during the game.
The opening ceremony will commence with a cultural performance showcasing drummers and dancers from the Enoch Cree Nation, Inuit Nation, and the Metis Nation. It will be followed by a Land Acknowledgement led by Grand Chief Desmond Bull, International Chief Wilton Littlechild, Grand Chief Arthur Noskey, Chief Roy Whitney, Elder Edna Elias, and Metis Nation of Alberta President Andrea Sandmaier.
Country music sensation Brett Kissel will deliver the Canadian national anthem. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided as part of the NHL’s partnership with P-X-P, with Founder and CEO Brice Christianson serving as the ASL interpreter and Linda Cundy as the ASL performer. Members of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton will form the Flag party, and Canadian Forces Base Edmonton personnel will hold the Canadian flag during the Anthem. The Royal Canadian Air Force’s 4 Cold Lake fighter base will perform a flyover with two CT-155 Hawk jets.
The opening ceremony will culminate with a ceremonial puck drop featuring players from the 2003 Heritage Classic outdoor game.
During the first intermission, the NHL will revisit the 2003 Heritage Classic with former Oilers Jason Chimera, Aleš Hemsky, Charlie Huddy, Georges Laraque, Fernando Pisani, and Jarret Stoll. The second intermission will feature a performance by the diamond-certified rock band Nickelback from the main stage.
