WINNIPEG – Friday afternoon at MTS Centre, the fans came out in droves to see legends in action. Both the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers Alumni teams put on a brief set of practices before tomorrow’s much-anticipated tilt at Investors Group Field – all part of the NHL’s Heritage Classic Weekend.
With a crowd of approximately 6,000 fans in attendance, the Jets Alumni hit the ice first to a raucous welcome, the biggest cheers saved for their favorites Teemu Selanne and Dale Hawerchuk. Led on the ice by guest coach and Jets owner Mark Chipman, the 
Alumni shook off the rust and tried to get their muscles to remember what to do out there. Some were more successful than others with some surprising standouts. Morris Lukowich, Ron Wilson and Kris King looked pretty spry and goaltender Daniel (The Bandit) Berthiaume made a few nifty saves to the delight of the crowd.
After a brief break, the Oilers took the ice led by Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier – this team looks a little deeper in talent which makes sense as they have 15 extra years of players to draw from than the Jets. The crowd enjoyed seeing these legends put through the paces and even got treated to a scrimmage to top things off. “The Oilers always wanted to put a show on for the fans” said Mark Messier afterward.
Former Jet and Oiler Willy Lindstrom, who is donning the blue and orange of the Oil tomorrow, reflected on his days as a Jet. “Lots of good memories from the WHA days – we had a hell of a team. I liked it here – both teams have been good to me”.
In his post-practice scrum, Wayne Gretzky stated “We always had a great deal of 
respect for their team.” And on the less-than enthusiastic response he used to get as a visitor in the old Winnipeg Arena, “That’s the way it should be!” he chuckled. “You gotta cheer for your own team.”
In the Jets room afterward, you could tell emotions were at play for some of the Alumni. As Dale Hawerchuk reflected “Everybody that played here, Winnipeg took a piece of their heart. I always had a feeling that if they got a new rink the NHL would be back – it’s too good of a fan base.”
Morris Lukowich, who skated for the Jets in both the WHA and the NHL was grateful for the opportunity to participate. “I’m glad they’ve done it now because I’m still young enough to skate. 10 years from now it would be very tough.”
Fan fave Eddie Olczyk was a bit critical of the coaches’ line combinations and a dubious placement of an NHL employee. “I knew Teemu and Hawerchuk would be on the top line together, but if Kris King stays on that top line I’m filing tampering charges!”
All in good fun! The Heritage Classic Alumni game is slated for tomorrow with a 3 pm start.
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