Heritage Game a real classic
Monday, December 31, 2007 | 05:54 PM ET
In the movie Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner's character Ray Kinsella heard a voice in his head while he worked in his cornfield in Iowa. The words, "If you build it, he will come," would forever change his life and his family around him. When he ploughed through his cornfield and built a baseball diamond, he created a place where the heroes from his past could come back and play.
He could sit with his daughter and watch players whose careers were over long ago, but whose love for playing the game never died. In the end, sharing those moments brought him closer to his father, and gave him an opportunity to "ease his pain," and reconnect with his family through sports.
In 2003, management of the Edmonton Oilers had a similar premonition, to build an outdoor rink on the hallowed field of Commonwealth Stadium, and stage an event where fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, and brothers and sisters could gather and share their love for the game of hockey, and marvel at the feats of some of their heroes from the past and present.
The Heritage Classic game in Edmonton on Nov. 22, 2003, was everything that it set out to be, and much more. The Montreal Canadiens, the team with the most Stanley Cup Championships in NHL history, against the Edmonton Oilers, winners of more Cups over the last two decades than any other team. With two points in the standings on the line, this regular season game had real meaning and intensity, but for most fans, it was the Legends Game before the main event, that they cherished.
Like Ray Kinsella's account to his daughter of Shoeless Joe Jackson's footwork in the outfield, the Heritage Classic gave families a chance to share the skill and grace of some of the games greatest players.
In the bitter cold of a –30 degree November afternoon, grandfathers who had once watched the great Guy Lafleur fly down the right wing and Larry Robinson and Guy Lapointe patrol the blue-line for the dominant Canadiens, got to share their stories of past glory with their sons. For a brief moment they relived some great memories and emotions from their past.
Their sons were able to once again see the Wayne Gretzky team up with Jari Kurri for a one timer, and watch Paul Coffey skate effortlessly from end to end like he had done so well during the Oilers dynasty. For their sons, seeing Messier join in the game while still an active NHL player for the New York Rangers, tied the present players to the past. Messier knew the significance of playing with his old mates in such an amazing outdoor setting, and knew that he would never get the opportunity to do so again. There was no way he was going to miss a chance to play.
For me, having the opportunity to be on the ice with my linemates Mark Messier and Glen Anderson with whom I won a pair of Stanley Cups rings with, gave me a chance to relive some incredible memories. Like the old baseball players in Field of Dreams, we were all feeling young again, and getting a chance to be together as a team and do what we loved to do the most: play the game.
My lasting memory of the game is one of Grant Fuhr. With a flash of his leather, the Hall of Fame netminder turned back time. With night falling and an orange fiery sun setting over the stadium, Grant's spectacular roundhouse glove save on a Stephane Richer blast exhilarated the crowd and created a moment frozen in time. Even Richer marvelled in Grant's abilities and gave him a pat on the head saying, "you got me again."
For one freezing cold afternoon, on an outdoor rink, in front of 57,167 diehard fans of the game, time stood still, and the Heritage Classic created a Field of Dreams for us all to enjoy.
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About the Author
Former NHL player, coach and broadcaster Craig Simpson brings over 18 years of expertise to his analyst role on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada. Craig played 10 years in the NHL with Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Edmonton, capturing two Stanley Cups with the Oilers in 1988 and 1990. He continues to hold the distinction of being the last Oiler to score 50 goals in one season (56 goals in 1987-88).
Injuries cut his playing career short in 1995, but the native of London, Ont., didn’t stray far from the game. Simpson worked for eight seasons as a hockey commentator with TSN, FoxSportsNet and Rogers Sportsnet and was an assistant coach with the Oilers organization for the past four years (2003-07) before joining CBC.
Simpson lives in Edmonton with his wife and three children. Viewers can catch Craig on Saturday nights providing analysis and commentary during the second game on HNIC. His blog appears every Tuesday on CBCSports.ca.
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Comments
jerry mcewen
I have watched hockey night in canada pretty much every saturday since i was 5 yrs old well iam 35 now and i have too say since watching the outdoor game newyears day in buffalo i didnt realize how passionate the fans are for the game of hockey in buffalo my hat goes off too them and everyone involved how come coachs corner wasnt done out side in the snow ??maybe don didnt want to get his hair wet
Posted January 4, 2008 06:10 PM
Eileen ursuliak
It was great to watch the Winter Classic in Buffalo! I like your comparison to the "Field of Dreams". That comparison also reminds me of 40 guys volunteering their time to play hockey 10 days,outdoors,24/7 in the World's Longest Hockey Game in Sherwood Park. They built the hockey rink in the middle of a field and played hockey all in the name of Pediatric Research for the Cross Cancer Institure in Edmonton. They have a web site now and are doing it again this year- Feb 8 - 18.
Posted January 3, 2008 10:47 PM
Doug Klachan
I enjoyed your reflections of your Heritage Classic experience Craig. Playing in the crisp winter air, whether on a pond, river or backyard rink let us all imagine that we had the chance to take a pass from Mark Messier or Glen Anderson. It is part of the common fabric that we all share as young players growing up in Canada and the love we share for our game. As in the Field of Dreams, few of us ever played with those talented players but we all loved the chance to watch and marvel at their talent and still do. I still brag to my son that we were once teammates and can relate to having shared the ice with some great players that were a joy to watch play the game I love.
Thanks for the memories.
Doug Klachan
Posted January 3, 2008 06:02 AM
Deb Johnson
I'll never forget seeing that game on TV. Such a fabulous reliving of the Oilers dynasty. A lovely reminder of the days of old for this family who grew up immersed in the Montreal-Toronto rivalry, before the modern-day Senators existed. Lovely to hear your memories Craig.
Posted January 1, 2008 11:36 PM
Chris
At the 62 years of age my days of playing Jr.B hockey in Montreal are far behind me..........watching the "Classic' in Buffalo today seems strange......wonder how many of those guys played outside ever actually played shinney (pickup hockey) day after day on outside rinks....dont think I actually skated in an area until I was 12 and had been playing organized hockey for 3-4 years...........how's that for showing ones age?.......Chris
Posted January 1, 2008 09:12 PM
Adam Danter
Toronto
Craig, I liked your article.
The comparison of the movie Field of Dreams hits home in another way, not already mentioned.
I think that the true idea of the outdoor NHL game is to bring those that love hockey, players and fans, back to where it all began, outdoors. It began on outdoor ponds, lakes and rinks.
Times where pucks would get lost in snowbanks, feet were frozen solid and the only remedy to get rid of the cold was to come home and enjoy hot chocolate, ovaltine or soup.
Posted January 1, 2008 01:14 PM
Stephen
Montreal
I was living in Edmonton at the time of the Heritage Classic. Being a life long Habs fan from Saint John, NB, there was no way I was going to miss this game. It was by far the biggest event during my year in The City of Champions. I begged, borrowed and stole (perhaps!) to get to this game and its a memory that I will carry with me forever. From the bitter cold to the huddled masses in the bathrooms (funny, they always seemed amply big during Eskimo games!) to the fantastic games (who can forget the tuque!!) to the naked streaked being chased by security, the evening was perfect. The Habs win was merely icing on the cake! What seemed like simply another marketing tool for the NHL quickly transcended the game. Who hasn't played on the lake/pond in sub-zero tempeature before thousands of adoring fans, albeit imaginary. This event was every little kids dream come true. The legs pump harder, the lungs fill faster and mullet flows better.
I'm sure the event in Buffalo tomorrow will be great as I have been to many Bills games and fans in Buffalo are top drawer for sure. One thing I do know for certain, however, is that there will only ever be one Heritage Classic...the Gold Standard of outdoor hockey games.
Posted January 1, 2008 02:18 AM
miles
calgary
I was at the game and the the two things I remember most were that the beer froze over to make slushes and when we finally got inside after the game and took off our many layers of clothes we were drunk as a skunk!!! The whole event was staged by a very professional Oiler organization but it was the everyday people of Edmonton who made it special. Walking to the game you would pass a group of hockey fans in their garage with the big screen outside who wanted to watch in the cold so they could feel like they were there. It felt like that field of dreams moment. I only remember the temperature being minus 20 but like woodstock in twenty years the story will grow and it will probably be minus 40!!!
Posted January 1, 2008 12:41 AM
judy
victoria
Great writing, thank you.
Posted December 31, 2007 11:50 PM
Roland Paradis
Edmonton
I just sent a comment where I pointed out some of the acheivements that come from the Edmonton area and realized I forgot to mention one of the most important points related to the relevance of Craig's article on the Heritage Classic where he very cleverly compared the experience to "Field of Dreams" that Kevin Costner starred in. How many people know that the film was based on a book of the same name, that was written right HERE in the Edmonton area by W.P.Kinsella!!!!!
Go Figure!!
Roland
Posted December 31, 2007 07:48 PM
Roland Paradis
Edmonton
Well said Craig!! As a hockey fan who remembers both the Oilers & Canadiens in there hayday, I will always remember that day as a magical commemoration of sport here in Edmonton. And only in Edmonton would you find the incredible homesteader spirit of hardy Canadians who would never have allowed frigid temperatures to hold them back from a chance to relive and even make history. As a proud Edmontonian, that event brought tears of joy to my eyes, much like winning those cups in the past, like the crowd singing the anthem during the playoffs a couple years ago, like winning grey cups in the past, like the volunteer spirit that exists here, that has driven countless world class events; 2001 world games, commonwealth games, universiade, curling championships, folkfest, festivals, festivals, festivals.........it just goes on and on. What a great place to live! For us here, this night will be a signpost like where were you in '62 for Americans. People in Edmonton can all tell you exactly where and what they were doing, the night the Oiler's won the cup for the 1st time, or the day the tornado struck on black friday, and the day the Heritage Classic was forever written into our collective consciousness.
Hurray for Edmonton, Alberta & Canada!! We rock people, and we do it(everything if we put our minds to it!) as well as anybody on the planet! Here's to the past present & future, and Happy New Year! Go Oiler's Go!
Roland Paradis
Edmonton
Posted December 31, 2007 07:31 PM
John van
Thorndale
I grew up a Leafs fan when Johnny Bower still tended the net, bare faced and fearless. Since that time and to the present I've loved the Oilers in better and worse times. Loved your article Craig,it must have been magic for all the old Oilers to lace up once again and do it in the great outdoors, playing a big time game of shinny.
Having watched a few old timers games i must say that one sight i'll always remember is that of Guy Lafleur's hair (he still has a pretty good crop of it) flowing in the breeze as he skates down the wing.Bare headed and fearless.
Posted December 31, 2007 07:05 PM
wade
calgary
Given that Mr. Simpson take on Fields of Dreams may be wrong and the quotes taken out of context, the article does have great merits. I had all but forgotten the great Stephane Richer.
Posted December 31, 2007 06:25 PM