Tickets fly out fast for chance to skate on ice at Rexall Place

Tickets to a second free public skating event at Rexall Place were snapped up Monday afternoon almost as quickly as they were offered out.

After overwhelming demand for the first session, which was held Monday at Rexall Place, Northlands offered fans a second chance to hit the ice where some of the greatest names in hockey have played.

The second session is scheduled for Monday, April 11 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets became available at 4 p.m. Monday and were all snapped up by 6 p.m.

Those at the first session Monday had a blast, especially the younger hockey fans.

“It’s really cool because Connor McDavid, one of the new stars, and Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri and Paul Coffey, they all skated on this rink,” said a young skater who was wearing his Oilers jersey.

“I’m getting the touch on my blade.”

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“It’s awesome. I played here when I was a young, young boy and it’s pretty fun being out here taking my kids,” said another hockey fan who took in an Oilers practice at the arena in 1981 when he was just five years old.

“All the big dogs like Messier and Gretzky and stuff, so it was lots of fun.”

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READ MORE: Share your Rexall Place memories as the Oilers prepare to say farewell

Northlands said it took about 24 hours for tickets for the first session to reserved by hockey fans.

“The opportunity to skate on Edmonton’s iconic landmark sold out in less than 24 hours and due to the overwhelming responses from fans our team at Northlands worked diligently to find another skate date for more fans to come and a skate for free at Rexall Place,” Northlands President and CEO Tim Reid said.

“Northlands Legacy Skate is our way to say thank you to the many fans that have supported us at Rexall Place for over 42 years.”

READ MORE: Calling all Oilers: Team announces plans to say final farewell to Rexall Place

Time slots for the public skating events are 45 minutes long, with 100 skaters hitting the ice at a time. Hot chocolate and cookies will be offered to fans.

Anyone under the age of 18 is required to wear a helmet on the ice and be with a guardian over the age of 18.

Hockey sticks and pucks are not permitted.

For more details on the event, visit Northlands’ website.

*Editor’s note: This story was originally published on March 24, 2016. It was updated on April 4 to include information about the second session.