Flames to face Jets in 2019 Heritage Classic in Regina

The Calgary Flames are headed back outdoors. The National Hockey League announced today that the Flames will face the Winnipeg Jets in the 2019 Heritage Classic at Regina, Saskatchewan’s Mosiac Stadium on Oct. 26, 2019.

Given that, as of this writing, the Flames and Jets are the two top teams in the Western Conference, such a high profile clash seems appropriate.

Both teams are making their second appearances in the Heritage Classic after previously hosting this event. The Flames beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 in the 2011 Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium, while the Jets were shut out by the Edmonton Oilers by a 3-0 score at the 2016 Heritage Classic at Investors Group Field.

As a weird quirk, this is the first time two relocated franchise will meet in an outdoor game. By a weird coincidence, both the Flames and Jets relocated to their present homes after starting their NHL lifespans in Atlanta: the Flames were the Atlanta Flames until 1980, while the Jets were previously the Atlanta Thrashers until 2011.