The Regina Pats and Regina Exhibition Association Limited dropped a major announcement Monday morning at Mosaic Stadium’s AGT Lounge.
The Pats will play host to the Calgary Hitmen outside at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday, October 27th following the NHL’s Heritage Classic the night before between the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets.
The Pats last outdoor game also came against the Hitmen, in Calgary in 2011, where nearly 21,000 fans took in the action.
Pats General Manager John Paddock said the team’s interest in hosting the game, dubbed the ‘Prairie Classic,’ heightened once the NHL game was announced.
“I don’t know all the obstacles or wrinkles, but this just doesn’t happen just because there’s going to be an NHL game, there’s lots of things you have to go through and cover, work out, and so forth,” Paddock said. “I’m sure there’s still a couple ones yet, but it’s going to happen and everybody’s really excited.”
Paddock has been involved in two other outdoor games during his time with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Related:
- NHL makes it official; Jets and Flames to play at Mosaic Stadium in Heritage Classic in October
- Pats would like to be involved in NHL Heritage Classic weekend
WHL Commissioner Ron Robison said there was no push back from the NHL to host this game alongside the Heritage Classic.
“The NHL has been so supportive of the system at every level and want this to be available to as many fans as possible throughout Saskatchewan, and this is a great opportunity to accomplish just that,” Robison said. “We’re all about growing the game at every level, whether it’s the NHL or the WHL, and these types of events attract new fans and create new opportunities and it’ll be a wonderful experience for everybody who is able to get to this game.”
Tickets for the game will be going for $18.50, and will go on sale on August 29th.
Regina Exhibition Association Limited President and CEO Tim Reid says while the record for attendance for a major junior outdoor game is 26,384, they are aiming for something a little more conservative.
“Obviously nobody is going to walk away with a ton of money from this event, this was really about a community initiative and broadcasting what a great place it is to do special events in our city,” Reid said. “As well as what a fantastic franchise we have in the Regina Pats, so this was around awareness and brand recognition, and hopefully getting people to stay one more day in our city from an economic development standpoint.”
Mayor Michael Fougere said a lot was learned from the last time an outdoor game was planned for Regina back in 2018.
“A different time of the year, certainly very cold weather (in February),” Fougere said. “I guess the price point as well I think was significant to making a decision on whether or not to go, but partnering with the NHL makes it much easier, and with the city and Evraz Place, it makes it easier that way.”
The Pats open training camp for the upcoming season on Thursday, and will play their first pre-season game August 27th in Moose Jaw.
The 2019/20 regular season starts September 20th the Pats will be home to Moose Jaw that night as well.
