It’s officially Hockey Week in the city of Regina and the province of Saskatchewan in anticipation of the 2019 NHL Heritage Classic and the 2019 Prairie Classic, both at Mosaic Stadium.

Officials, dignitaries and others gathered on Monday at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building to mark the beginning of Hockey Week from October 21-27.

Among those who spoke at the event and shared their excitement for this weekend’s games included Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport Gene Makowsky and Regina Mayor Michael Fougere. Fougere and Makowsky helped raise the official Heritage Classic flag outside the premier’s office on a calm Monday morning.

In non-political news today, Minister Gene Makowsky and Regina Mayor Michael Fougere help present the Heritage Classic flag at the Saskatchewan Legislative to mark Hockey Week in #Regina. #NHL #YQR #HeritageClassic pic.twitter.com/9FPeLCCU8e

— Moises Canales (@MoisesCanalesJr) October 21, 2019

It’s officially Hockey Week in #Regina. #NHL #YQR #HeritageClassic pic.twitter.com/dpjlBcirqg

— Moises Canales (@MoisesCanalesJr) October 21, 2019

Mayor Fougere admitted this is a celebration he has been looking forward to for so long. He applauded the NHL for bringing such a popular event to the “hotbed of hockey in Western Canada” that will honour the city and the province.

He believes this could even be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local hockey fans.

“We’re the first place in Canada without an NHL team to have a game like this, so it may never happen again,” said Fougere. “The chances of it happening again in our lifetime are remote, so we shall celebrate even more.”

Steve Mayer, chief content officer and head of events and entertainment for the National Hockey League, said there will be a number of events over the coming days that will include a local flavour celebrating indigenous peoples, minor hockey and the history of hockey on the prairies, just to name a few.

He expects the energy inside the stadium on Saturday will be incredible.

“The way we are going to celebrate Regina and Western Canada will be in the way we present the game, what we talk about during the game, the music and entertainment, and the fact that it’s at night with pyro and fireworks,” stated Mayer.

Chief content officer and head of events and entertainment for the National Hockey League Steve Mayer. (Photo: Moises Canales/620 CKRM)

Crews began preparations at the stadium during the Thanksgiving long weekend, and it sounds like everything is coming together very smoothly. Mayer mentioned they are way ahead of schedule thanks to the co-operating weather over the last several days.

Now only a few days away from puck drop, he had an opportunity to reflect on the league’s decision to bring an outdoor hockey event to the provincial capital – only the fourth time an NHL outdoor game has been hosted at a neutral site venue.

Mayer said they knew they wanted to bring a game to this facility after making their first visit to the city.

“Everything from the locker rooms to the field, the space, the seats and the clubs. It’s a first-rate stadium and one we felt [the players] could comfortably play here.”