WINNIPEG — It may be months away but hockey fans got a huge taste of the 2016 Heritage Classic on Friday.
Hundreds of fans gathered at Portage Avenue and Main Street Friday afternoon for the NHL’s announcement of the alumni lineup and jerseys for the big game.
Former NHL stars Dale Hawerchuk, Kevin Lowe, Thomas Steen and Dave Semenko were in attendance, as well as current players, Blake Wheeler of the Winnipeg Jets and Cam Talbot of the Edmonton Oilers.
READ MORE: Winnipeg Jets hosting 2016 Heritage Classic game on Oct. 23
“We have been looking forward to this event since we entered the NHL in 2011,” True North chairman, Mark Chipman said in front of a cheering crowd.
“It gives us an opportunity to completely celebrate the heritage of the Winnipeg Jets.”
The Edmonton Oilers lineup was revealed. Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Dave Semenko, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri and Grant Fuhr were included in the roster.
Dale Hawerchuk introduced the Winnipeg Jets alumni lineup, which included Dale Hawerchuk, Teemu Selanne, Teppo Numminen, Thomas Steen, Bob Essensa, Dabe Babych, Mike Ford and Kim Kyte.
Retro jerseys unveiled
The jerseys for the Alumni Game were also unveiled. The Winnipeg Jets’ Blake Wheeler and Edmonton Oilter’s Cam Talbot modelled them to the crowd.
The Winnipeg Jets also tweeted out the new video to go with the jerseys.
The NHL Heritage Classic is set for Oct. 23 at Investors Group Field, where the Jets will take on the Edmonton Oilers in an outdoor regular season game.
READ MORE: Heritage Classic tickets could cost an average of $600
The Alumni Games takes place Oct. 22 at IGF, where players such as Teemu Selanne, Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier will be lacing up for the game.
WATCH: Winnipeg to host the Heritage Classic and Alumni Game