Oilers, Canadiens To Play Outdoor Game

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens will play an outdoor game at Commonwealth Stadium in November that could draw more than 55,000 fans.

The Oilers made the announcement during a news conference at the stadium on Tuesday. The game will be part of the team's 25th anniversary celebrations.

An afternoon exhibition that will feature Wayne Gretzky is also on the schedule. Gretzky has said in the past that he wasn't interested in suiting up in "old-timers" games, but when former teammate Kevin Lowe, now the general manager of the Oilers, came calling, Gretzky couldn't say no.

"I'll tell you why - my wife and kids will finally get to see me play in an Oilers uniform in Edmonton," Gretzky said.

Commonwealth, which hosted last year's Grey Cup, will have its football field reconfigured for what organizers are dubbing the Heritage Classic. An NHL-regulation size rink, benches with heaters, boards, glass and penalty boxes will be constructed.

An ice walkway will lead to and from the rink so players can skate to the indoor dressing rooms between periods.

The idea for such a game took root after hockey teams from Michigan State and the University of Michigan drew 74,554 spectators to Spartan Stadium on Oct. 6, 2001.