The Flames (1-0-1) also are set to play outdoors for the third time after a 4-0 win against the Canadiens in the 2011 Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium in Calgary and a 2-1 overtime loss versus the Jets in the 2019 Heritage Classic at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sask.
Mikael Backlund (2 GP) is the only current Flames player who has represented the team in each of its previous outdoor games. The only other current Calgary player with more than one outdoor NHL game is Nazem Kadri (1-0—1 in 4 GP:2014 Winter Classic, 2017 Centennial Classic, 2018 Stadium Series, 2021 Outdoors at Lake Tahoe).
Goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Dan Vladar both are entering the 2023 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic without previous outdoor NHL game experience.
Calgary’s lone outdoor victory, at the 2011 Heritage Classic, was notable on a couple of fronts: Rene Bourque (2-0—2) scored twice, including the game-winner, and set an outdoor NHL game record with 11 shots on goal, while Flames legend Miikka Kiprusoff (39 saves) posted the first shutout in an outdoor NHL game. Kiprusoff’s performance remains the highest save total in an outdoors shutout.
Chris Tanev can become the second member of his family to oppose the Oilers in an outdoor game – his brother, Brandon Tanev (now with the Kraken), played for Winnipeg in its loss against Edmonton at the 2016 Heritage Classic.
