As we cross our fingers and get ready for the World Junior Quarter-Final game between Canada and Finland tonight, we can also look forward to a great event coming to southern Saskatchewan in the fall of this year.

The 2019 NHL Heritage Classic will be played at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on October 26th featuring the Calgary Flames and the Winnipeg Jets.  It's the first time this game has been played this far from an actual NHL market, and seating is expected to be expanded to around 40,000 for the big game.

No ticket information is available yet but it will be coming in the weeks ahead.

The announcement of an event of this stature made us think there are other major happenings that could be brought to cities and towns in our province.  For example:

  • How about holding the Academy Awards in Yorkton.  We could build on the film festival that already happens there, and we could introduce all the Hollywood bigwigs to the joys of cabbage rolls.
  • What about moving the Masters from Augusta Georgia to Elbow, and holding the tournament at the Harbor Golf and Country Club.  The golfers will love the course, the patrons will love the breakfast special at the Backhome Bakery and Coffee Shop, and I promise Tiger and Phil will dig the steak nights at the Elbow Hotel.
  • What if we landed an NHL expansion club up in Eyebrow.  Imagine seeing "New York Rangers vs. Eyebrow" on the NHL schedule.  We could put the teams up in the rooms above the bar in Tugaske.  It could work.  I know the folks in Central Butte would be onside with this.
  • And how about making the permanent home of the World Series Ross Wells Ballpark in Moose Jaw.  The strength of the burgers and onion rings alone make that one a no-brainer.  Plus there will be tons of foul balls hit onto Caribou Street for the kids to chase.

But, let's start with the Heritage Classic hockey game.  We'll build from there.