WHL OUTDOORS SET TO BREAK ATTENDANCE RECORDS

Calgary, AB — The WHL is set to head outdoors for the second time this season as the Calgary Hitmen and Regina Pats gear up for the Calgary 2011 WHL Outdoors event at McMahon Stadium on Monday, February 21st.

The contest, which falls on Family Day, will mark the first WHL and Canadian Hockey League game ever to be played outdoors in Canada. 

“We are extremely excited about the great opportunity this game presents for both our fans and players to be part of such a unique and unforgettable experience,” said Hitmen General Manager Kelly Kisio.

Though Monday’s contest will be the first outdoor WHL and CHL game on Canadian soil, it’s the second outdoor game in the WHL this season.  The Spokane Chiefs hosted the Kootenay Ice in front of 7,075 fans at Avista Stadium in Spokane, WA, on January 15th for the wildly successful Rockstar Outdoor Hockey Classic.

The game also provides the perfect finish to what will be an exciting weekend of outdoor hockey in Calgary, following Sunday’s Heritage Classic.  With over 18,000 tickets already sold for the game, it could very likely be the most attended junior hockey game in history.  Breaking the Canadian Hockey League record of 20,081 (Ottawa 67’s vs Kingston Frontenacs @ Corel Center; Dec. 20, 2004) and the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship record of 20,380 (Canada vs Sweden, Gold Medal Game @ Corel Center in Ottawa, Jan. 5, 2009).

“It’s an honor to be able to play in the first outdoor WHL game in Canada,” said Regina Pats’ forward Jordan Weal.  “I hear there will be a lot of fans coming out to watch, and I know all the guys on the team are really excited to get out there and play.”

With the success of the Rockstar Outdoor Hockey Classic in Spokane, the anticipation for Monday’s event at McMahon Stadium – the home of the Calgary Stampeders – is building.

“It’s going to be so exciting,” said Calgary Hitmen winger Kris Foucault, a Calgary product who gets to take part in the contest in front of a hometown crowd.

“I grew up in Calgary and spent a lot of my time playing on the outdoor rinks,” said the 21-year-old who is in his third year with the Hitmen.  “I’ve watched a lot of Stamps games at McMahon stadium, and we expect a lot of people to be in the stands, so it’s going to be pretty special for me to be a part of this event.”

As residents of the Prairie Provinces know, Mother Nature can be particularly harsh and unpredictable at this time of the year.  Players from both sides are well aware they could face anything from cold, wintery weather to bright sunshine and mild temperatures.

Pats’ captain Garrett Mitchell, who spent plenty of hours on the outdoor rinks in his hometown of Regina, said playing outdoors means being prepared to face the elements.  Fortunately, Mitchell and the Pats were able to tap a great resource for hints and tips on dealing with what Mother Nature can throw at them.

“We talked to the Saskatchewan Rough Riders,” said Mitchell.  “We got some balaclavas and stuff like that, so we should be alright.

“I’m not too worried about the weather because I’ve been out there on the rinks in my neighborhood when it’s been minus 20 degrees…the cold doesn’t matter too much when you’re out there working hard and skating around,” he said.

Foucault says the Hitmen won’t mind the weather, either.  Having grown up in Calgary, Foucault is plenty used to lacing up the skates in frigid conditions.

“I know how the weather can change on a dime in Calgary,” he said.  “We’ve got toques and we’ll wear layers, so we’ll be ready for anything.”

NOTES:  Rogers Sportsnet will broadcast the Calgary 2011 WHL Outdoors event live in HD…The Canadian Hockey League attendance record is 20,081 (Ottawa 67’s vs Kingston Frontenacs @ Corel Center; Dec. 20, 2004)…The Calgary 2011 WHL Outdoors event wraps up a full weekend of hockey celebrations surrounding the Heritage Classic…On Friday, 17 WHL graduates will feature when the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat meet the Oklahoma Oil Barons at the Scotiabank Saddledome…On Saturday, the Calgary Flames Alumni will take on the Montreal Canadiens Alumni at McMahon Stadium, featuring WHL grads such as Theoren Fleury, Mike Vernon, Ryan Walter and Brian Skrudland…On Sunday, Jarome Iginla (Kamloops Blazers)  and the Calgary Flames host Carey Price (Tri-City Americans) and the Montreal Canadiens for the 2011 Heritage Classic.