"Now, I guess, everything's more organization and inside. But for me, taking my son to the park and skating on the ice outside is just so much fun. A special feeling you never want to lose.
"I remember the game (in 2011) being a great experience.
"You do get a little nostalgic. For sure. This'll take me back to my younger days."
The latest incarnation of the Heritage Classic goes Saturday at Mosaic Field in Regina.
"Outdoor hockey?" says Flames' head honcho Bill Peters. "Outstanding. Been to one as a fan, when I was in Chicago's organization, at Wrigley Field. First time at Wrigley Field was for a hockey game. My son was very young at the time. It was snowing but not bad.
"Then later in the year we went to a game at the United Centre and it was raining that day. And he goes: 'Dad, are we going to get wet at the game?' I go: 'What?' And he goes: 'Is it outdoors?' And I go: 'No, son, it's not outdoors. This one's indoors. You won't be to (another) outdoor game in a long time.'
"Lucky to be part of the one at The Big House, 100,000 plus, fun game, went into a shootout. The atmosphere was fantastic and I expect the same at Mosaic Stadium."
These outdoor events are often described as "once in a lifetime" opportunities by the participants.
Well, for some people, perhaps …
"This'll be the fifth one I'll have been a part of," says goalie Cam Talbot. "A favourite? If I had to choose one, I'd pick Winnipeg (at Investors Group Field). And not only because that's the one I got to play in. I just thought the ice conditions were great, the time of the game was perfect, and all the events going on around it were well done.
"But they're all special in their own. Playing outdoors never gets old. It's not like we're doing it every night.
"We played the one in New York (Stadium Series) - two games against Jersey - and the second night was just miserable. Playing at Yankee Stadium was really cool, but they didn't make the benches long enough for the back-up goalie - me. So even though they're heated, the back-up goal - me - is sitting off by himself, freezing."