In the eyes of Connor McDavid, there’s nothing more Canadian than his Edmonton Oilers taking on their nemesis, the Calgary Flames, in the upcoming 2023 NHL Heritage Classic.
McDavid recently expressed his feelings about the outdoor game that has garnered widespread attention in North America. In his second season in 2016, he played in the NHL Heritage Classic for the first time. According to Derek Van Diest of NHL.com, the Oilers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-0 that year.
Connor McDavid is back in town talking about the upcoming Heritage Classic. #NHL #Oiler #Flames pic.twitter.com/d5TNUVS7M0
— Derek Van Diest (@DerekVanDiest) September 6, 2023
“I really enjoyed it. The fans loved it and playing outside feels like being a kid again. Playing hockey outside is as Canadian as it gets, and it’s here in Edmonton against the Playing Flames is even better,” McDavid said.
“It’s just so different when you play in a stadium like this and stadiums all over Canada and the United States. The NHL has taken outdoor games to some pretty wild places. I think of the Lake Tahoe Games (2021) and then some of those in California. Who would have imagined outdoor games in California?” Connor McDavid mused.
“It is an event that the players and fans are looking forward to. It’s just different and something you don’t see every day. I don’t think any sport can do it as well as we can, so it’s fun to be a part of it,” he concluded.
The Oilers are targeting their fifth straight postseason pick this year. In fact, they’re so early – Connor McDavid has asked his teammates to report to training camp two weeks earlier than planned. McDavid has certainly lived up to his “Cup or Bust” battle cry over the past few months.
Connor McDavid and the Oilers will face the Flames in the 2023 NHL Heritage Classic on October 29th. Expect The Battle of Alberta to exceed high expectations.
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