Thousands of Edmonton Oilers fans lined up for hours ahead of the Oilers Farewell Season Clearout Sale at Rexall Place Sunday.
One man drove his son and nephew more than three hours from Wabasca, Alta., to be first in line. They parked their chairs outside Rexall at 10:30 Saturday night.
“It was cold,” Justin Auger said. “It was kind of hard to sleep because it was so cold.”
But in the end, it paid off – as the trio took home handfuls of gear.
“I got these helmets and a stick because they’re my favourite player’s,” Brendan Rathbone said.
READ MORE: Fans make noise in the stands and on social media for last game at Rexall Place
This year’s locker room sale will be the last one at the old arena before the team moves to the new downtown facility, Rogers Place. Fans have mixed reactions about the move.
“It’s exciting. It’s the last chance to see where the Oilers played for so many years,” fan David Forward said.
“It’s very sad,” said self-described “obsessive” Oilers fan, Stephanie Lemiska.
“Honestly, it’s one of the things I grew up with: games in Rexall Place. Now it’s not going to be Rexall anymore. It’s going to be Rogers Place.”
READ MORE: ‘It’s a bittersweet day’: Edmonton Oilers say farewell to Rexall Place
Fans even got the chance to tour the Oilers’ dressing room – something Lemiska couldn’t wait to do.
“It’s really the big thing I’m looking forward to. That’s the main thing we’re excited about.”
Oil Kings and former Oilers Captain Jason Smith were on hand to sign autographs after fans scooped up new and game-used equipment, jerseys and memorabilia.
The historic sale drew a large crowd. Thousands of people lined up in the VIP line and season ticket holders got first dibs.
“Obviously we’ve got a great fan base that’s really, really plugged in to everything – all the different pieces that make up Oiler world,” said Stu Ballantyne with the Oilers Entertainment Group.
Once inside, fans raced to get their hands on sticks, pucks and other treasures, which didn’t last long on the shelves.
Comments