Fort McMurray, AB will host Canada's first Junior A outdoor game this weekend. PHOTO GALLERY View the Photo Gallery

The Oilers Community Partnerships team headed north to Fort McMurray this week to support the Oil Barons as they make history, hosting the first ever outdoor Junior A game in Canada. On Friday, November 26 the Fort McMurray Oil Barons will play the Drayton Valley Thunder under the northern lights.

"The Oilers are proud to be in Fort McMurray this week to be a part of the Northern Classic,” said Trevor Murphy, Oilers Manager of Community and Consumer Partnerships. “The Oilers are fortunate to have tremendous support throughout Oil Country and we are proud to be associated with Wood Buffalo’s community initiatives and this outdoor game.”

Leading up to the inaugural Northern Classic, the Oilers will be hosting clinics Wednesday evening for local minor hockey players. Along with Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada, the Oilers will provide on-ice training sessions for the young players along with a tour of the new outdoor rink.

“As part of the Oilers involvement with this event, 200 young hockey players will be given the chance to enjoy a grassroots hockey experience including a personal tour of this wonderful outdoor facility,” said Murphy.

Along with hosting minor hockey clinics, Oilers staff will be making school visits to classrooms across Fort McMurray on Thursday.

Finally, Friday brings the big ticket event which is expected to break the Alberta Junior Hockey League's attendance record of 4,400 with an expected crowd of 5,000. Oilers President Patrick LaForge will be amongst the sold-out crowd when the puck drops at approximately 6:30pm.