{"id":328440,"date":"2025-12-05T01:56:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T01:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/328440\/"},"modified":"2025-12-05T01:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T01:56:09","slug":"cats-out-of-the-bag-heritage-classic-in-winnipeg-oct-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/328440\/","title":{"rendered":"Cat’s out of the bag: Heritage Classic in Winnipeg Oct. 25"},"content":{"rendered":"

Breadcrumb Trail Links<\/p>\n

Sports<\/a>Hockey<\/a>NHL<\/a>Winnipeg Jets<\/a> Get the latest from Paul Friesen straight to your inbox Sign Up <\/p>\n

Published Dec 04, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n

\"PlansA screenshot captured by Dave Minuk reveals plans for a Heritage Classic game between the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens at Princess Auto Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026. Photo by Dave Minuk \/Illegal CurveArticle content<\/p>\n

It seems somebody with the NHL or the Winnipeg Jets jumped the gun, and it\u2019s pointing straight at Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

Advertisement 2<\/p>\n

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n

\"Winnipeg<\/p>\n

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n

Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n

Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n

REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n

or<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

Appearing very briefly on the Jets\u2019 website on Thursday was an information page for next year\u2019s Heritage Classic, the league\u2019s Canadian-based outdoor game.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

The page, up for maybe half an hour before being taken down, showed the game will be played in Winnipeg on Sunday, Oct. 25, and will feature the Jets against the Montreal Canadiens.<\/p>\n

The information included a link where fans could sign up for updates, including ticket information. That link was also quickly disabled.<\/p>\n

The page showed an 11 a.m. release time, but no date.<\/p>\n

Winnipegger Dave Minuk, editor of the Illegal Curve hockey website and podcast, suspected the news may have been dropped accidentally, as there was no statement from the NHL or the Jets, so he grabbed a screenshot of it.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News<\/p>\n

Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.<\/p>\n

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.<\/p>\n

Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n

A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.<\/p>\n

The next issue of The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News will soon be in your inbox.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

Advertisement 3<\/p>\n

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

The news quickly made the website of the Montreal Gazette in addition to illegalcurve.com.<\/p>\n

A source with the Jets wouldn\u2019t confirm or deny the news.<\/p>\n

Expect an announcement confirming it this weekend.<\/p>\n

Sports Illustrated (si.com) also ran with the story under the headline, NHL Accidentally Leaks Canadiens vs. Jets Heritage Classic Game.<\/p>\n

This will be the second Heritage Classic played at the home of the CFL\u2019s Blue Bombers, the first one coming in 2016 at which the Jets faced the Edmonton Oilers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The stadium seats 32,343 for football and has become quite the gathering\/party place for football fans, the Bombers filling it for all nine home games this past season, something they\u2019ve never done before.<\/p>\n

The Jets also took part in the 2019 game in Regina, taking on the Calgary Flames<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Advertisement 4<\/p>\n

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

The Heritage Classic has usually involved Canadian teams, but there was an exception when Toronto took on Buffalo in 2022.<\/p>\n

The first one was played in 2003, when Montreal visited Edmonton on a frigid November day. Its success \u2013 more than 57,000 fans attended \u2014 led to the creation of the annual Winter Classic between American teams and held in the U.S..<\/p>\n

The NHL revived the Canadian version in 2011 and pitted the Canadiens against Calgary. More than 41,000 fans packed McMahon Stadium for that one.<\/p>\n

The next site was B.C. Place in Vancouver in 2014, featuring the Canucks and Ottawa.<\/p>\n

The 2016 game was in Winnipeg on Oct. 23, as the Oilers beat the Jets, 3-0, on a day that saw the mercury hit 10 C, a bit above seasonal for that time of year.<\/p>\n

Advertisement 5<\/p>\n

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

The start time of that game had to be delayed by two hours, though, as the glare from the sun off the ice made it dangerous for players.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel bad that we\u2019re delayed but that\u2019s the nature of this business,\u201d Jets co-owner Mark Chipman said that day. \u201cIt\u2019s a nationally televised hockey game and those things are set for good and valid reasons. It\u2019s unfortunate but I think people understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the players the two-hour delay was a bit annoying,\u201d Blake Wheeler, Jets captain at the time, said. \u201cBut for the fans it might have helped get hydrated there a little bit. It was great weather, they did a great job with the ice. You really couldn\u2019t ask for better conditions. It was a great weekend for Winnipeg. The community had a great time embracing the festivities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advertisement 6<\/p>\n

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

Three years later, the Jets won the 2019 game against Calgary, 2-1.<\/p>\n

The next one pitted Toronto against Buffalo in Hamilton in 2022, while Calgary visited Edmonton\u2019s Commonwealth Stadium a year later.<\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t a Heritage Classic last season and there won\u2019t be one this season, making next October\u2019s the first one in three years.<\/p>\n

The event also typically draws legends of the past to take part in an alumni game.<\/p>\n

Former Jets great Dale Hawerchuk and Wayne Gretzky were two of the legends skating in the 2016 Heritage Classic, deemed a success despite the sun delay.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a bit of a circus atmosphere, and it\u2019s been in town for about five days,\u201d Paul Maurice, then Jets head coach, said. \u201cIt was great to have it here \u2026 the climate was fantastic out there, the ice was just exceptional for an outdoor rink. It was great for the city of Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe showed ourselves in a very positive light.\u201d<\/p>\n

No pun was intended, as far as we know.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll see what the weather will bring to next year\u2019s game, but it\u2019s already made history.<\/p>\n

Just call it The Leak.<\/p>\n

paul.friesen@kleinmedia.ca<\/p>\n

X: @friesensunmedia<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Breadcrumb Trail Links SportsHockeyNHLWinnipeg Jets Get the latest from Paul Friesen straight to your inbox Sign Up Published…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":328441,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[556],"tags":[64,63,575,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-328440","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nhl","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-nhl","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328440","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=328440"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328440\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/328441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=328440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=328440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=328440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}