Former WHL players return to Regina in Heritage Classic showdown

Thousands of fans filing into Mosaic Stadium on a Saturday may be a normal occurrence on Saskatchewan Roughriders game days, but this time, it won’t be football taking place on the field.

The Tim Hortons Heritage Classic has replaced the gridiron with a hockey rink as the Winnipeg Jets face off against the Calgary Flames in an NHL regular-season game. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m.

While Winnipeg is being billed as the home team, it’s the first time the NHL is holding an outdoor game at a neutral site, with Regina being between the two cities geographically.

There aren’t any players from the province playing on either team, nor are there any alumni of the Regina Pats. But a few former WHL players are making their way back to play in Saskatchewan for the first time since their junior days.

Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey might have the closest roots to Saskatchewan in the game, with his dad and grandparents calling the province home.

“At Christmas growing up, my grandparents would gift us Rider jerseys and hats and stuff like that,” the 24-year-old said following the team’s practice on Friday.

“It was tough growing up in Calgary as a Rider fan and then getting drafted by Winnipeg. It’s kind of the trifecta of rivals so it has been an interesting transition that way.”

Morrissey said he’s thinking of his grandparents as he takes the ice and gets ready inside the Roughriders’ locker room.

“They’re not here with us now but they were, I think, season-ticket holders through a lot of years and came to a lot of Rider games,” Morrissey said. “They never made it to new Mosaic here but they were huge fans so it definitely means a lot.”

Morrissey played with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders for five seasons, with the final 20 games of his junior career being with the Kelowna Rockets. In his junior career he recorded 196 points in 249 games. He was taken by the Jets 13th overall in the 2013 NHL entry draft.

“I spent a great time here in Saskatchewan in junior and played a lot of games here in Regina so it’s nice to come back,” Morrissey said. “It’s such a great hockey province, such a great province in general, and the people are awesome in Saskatchewan. It’s nice to be back and (I’m) excited to play outdoors.”

Jets centre Adam Lowry also played his junior hockey in the WHL, spending four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos.

On the other bench is another player who is used to lacing up the skates in Regina.

Flames defenceman Travis Hamonic was a member of the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors for four seasons. In his junior career — which also featured a brief stop with the Brandon Wheat Kings — Hamonic recorded 109 points in 181 games. He was taken in the second round (53rd overall) by the New York Islanders in 2008.

“I’m looking forward to (Saturday’s game),” Hamonic told the Green Zone on Friday. “Hopefully I get a better reception than when we used to come through with the Warriors.

“What really makes it neat is that we’re going to a neutral site, but a neutral site with a great hockey base of fans. I think it will be kind of split down the middle as far as who they’re cheering for.”

Hamonic had to miss his other opportunity to play in an outdoor game while he was a member of the Islanders. He suffered an injury about 10 days before the 2014 Stadium Series game against the New York Rangers.

While he’s disappointed he missed the contest in New York, he’s glad his first outdoor game will be played in the prairies where he grew up.

“Being in Western Canada and kind of in my home province so to speak, I’m looking forward to being able to play my first one essentially back home,” said Hamonic, a product of St. Malo, Man.

Wind can always be a factor in the Land of Living Skies, and that could be the case during the game. Winds gusting to 80 kilometres per hour are expected.

Flames left-winger Matthew Tkachuk said he noticed the wind during their practice.

“It seems like when the wind was going, you’re completely downwind going down one end of the ice and the other end you’re going right against it,” Tkachuk said. “It’s a factor for sure.”

The Flames (6-5-1) come into the Heritage Classic on a bit of a hot streak, having won four of their past six games. Their most recent win came on Thursday night, with a 6-5 shootout victory over the Florida Panthers in Calgary.

Meanwhile the Jets (5-6) have been dealing with a slump over their last few games, earning three wins in their last eight games. They’ve enjoyed a bit of a break since their last game, a 3-2 loss on Tuesday to the Los Angeles Kings.

While there’s a big two points on the line for the winner, Hamonic said the game will still hold a special place in the careers of all the players.

“You’ve got to win and it’s important but I also think it’s one of those moments in your career and in your life where you have to step back and say, ‘Man, this is pretty cool,’ ” Hamonic said. “I think you owe it to yourself almost to appreciate the moment when you’re in it.”