The return of
Mario Lemieux to the ice highlights Friday's announcement by the
Pittsburgh Penguins of an alumni game as part of the festivities at this year's Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
The game against a team of
Washington Capitals alumni, to be played on New Year's Eve Day at Heinz Field -- site of the Classic -- will mark the first time Lemieux, the owner of the Penguins, will play in an organized game since he announced his final retirement as a player in 2006.
It comes a day before the current-day Penguins play the current-day Capitals in the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
"We all grew up playing on outdoor rinks, so we?re really looking forward to having this chance to skate on the Winter Classic rink at Heinz Field," Lemieux said. "There is so much history between the Penguins and Capitals and it will be good to get together and see friends on both benches."
The chance to play with Lemieux is already bringing out the stars. Hall of Famers
Paul Coffey,
Ron Francis and
Bryan Trottier, along with recently retired
Bill Guerin, have already signed on to play for the
Pittsburgh Penguins alumni team, which will take on an alumni team from the
Washington Capitals on Dec. 31. The Caps? team will be led by
Peter Bondra.
Full rosters for the Penguins and Capitals alumni will be announced soon.
Tickets, priced at $25, will allow spectators to watch the alumni game at 9:30 a.m. and the Penguins' practice at 11:30 a.m. Washington's 2 p.m. practice will be closed to the public.
...
