WINNIPEG -- Manitoba hockey fans will get to watch legend Wayne Gretzky and rising star Connor McDavid play outdoor games next October.
On Sunday, the NHL announced the Winnipeg Jets will host McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 Tim Hortons Heritage Classic on Oct. 23 at Investors Group Field. The Heritage Classic returns to the regular-season schedule after games in 2014 in Vancouver, 2011 in Calgary and 2003 in Edmonton.
The day before, a legends game will feature Gretzky as the Oilers captain and Dale Hawerchuk his counterpart for the original Jets team.
"I think the alumni game, it would be pretty cool to see the two historic franchises going together like that," McDavid said prior to Edmonton's game Sunday night against the Jets.
Winnipeg will play outdoors for the first time. Edmonton will head outside for a second occasion but first since hosting the initial NHL regular-season outdoor contest at Commonwealth Stadium in 2003.
Edmonton and Winnipeg came into the NHL from the World Hockey Association as part of a four-team expansion in 1979.
Both games will be afternoon affairs at the home stadium of the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers, which will hold just over 32,000 fans.
The timing of the game in late October rather than the depths of a Winnipeg winter was a relief for players.
"Luckily, it's in October," Jets forward Blake Wheeler said after his team's morning meeting.
"I'm glad it's in October," said Winnipeg defenceman Tyler Myers. "Watching the outdoor games the past few years and seeing the excitement and the hype around them, it's going to be exciting to be a part of it.
"I'm sure both teams will be amped and bringing their best."
The same could be said for the alumni players.
Despite the Jets' lack of success against the powerhouse Oilers of the 1980s -- six playoff series and no victories while Edmonton captured five Stanley Cups -- Hawerchuk expects the rivalry to re-ignite.
WHA linemates Bobby Hull, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson have been confirmed, while Hawerchuk said he's asking linemates Brian Mullen and Paul MacLean to play. Even Teemu Selanne, whom Hawerchuk didn't play with, has agreed to attend.
Hawerchuk, who spent nine of his 16 seasons with Winnipeg, smiled when asked how competitive the alumni game may get.
"It's starts off, 'Hey, how's it going?' " said the coach of the OHL's Barrie Colts. "And then all of a sudden the score is tied and there's 10 minutes left (in the) last period.
"The boys start cranking it up and now the elbows are a little higher. The speed, all of a sudden there's another gear. They're a lot of fun."
In a video message from California, Gretzky said his lineup could include former Oiler stars Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, Dave Semenko and Jari Kurri.
"We're not as good as we used to be, but it'll be a lot of fun," Gretzky said with a smile.
Jets assistant coach Charlie Huddy is a former Oilers defenceman who won five Cups with the club between 1984-1990. But Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice isn't sure if Huddy will play in the alumni game.
"That's between Charlie and his agent," Maurice quipped.
Edmonton coach Todd McLellan said it'll be good for young players and alumni to rub shoulders during the weekend, which begins with a gala dinner Friday.
"The torch has to be passed down from one generation to the next," McLellan said. "The Hawerchuks, the Gretzkys, those type of players, have done that to the (Jets Mark) Scheifeles, the (Oilers Ryan) Nugent-Hopkins.
"And years down the road, they're going to have to do the same."
Winnipeg co-owner Mark Chipman was pleased to bring the weekend to fans in appreciation for their support of the franchise since its relocation from Atlanta in 2011. The original Jets moved to Arizona in 1996.
"I just feel really humbled by it, to be honest with you," Chipman said.
