AP source: Jets to host Oilers in 2016 Heritage Classic

Posted March 05, 2016 6:00 am

By STEPHEN WHYNO

Winnipeg is finally getting an outdoor NHL game.

The league is set to announce on Sunday that the Jets will host the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 Heritage Classic, a person involved in the decision told The Associated Press on Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the event had not been officially announced.

The Jets are expected to host the 2016 Heritage Classic at Investors Group Field, home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. Winnipeg had been scheduled to host an outdoor game during the 2015-16 season, but the NHL couldn't come to an agreement with the Blue Bombers.

This will be the fourth Heritage Classic and first since the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Ottawa Senators at BC Place in March 2014.

The Winnipeg Heritage Classic is the first outdoor game to be revealed for 2016-17, with the announcement of the Winter Classic still to come. The NHL plans several events to commemorate its 100th anniversary, which will be celebrated during the 2017 calendar year.

The NHL has put on 17 outdoor hockey games since the first Heritage Classic between the Oilers and Montreal Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton in 2003. Winnipeg will be the 21st team to participate.

Winnipeg Jets' Nikolaj Ehlers (27), Mathieu Perreault (85) and Mark Scheifele (55) celebrate Scheifele's goal against the New York Islanders during first-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Thursday, March 3, 2016. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT The Associated Press

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