Gretzky, Robitaille to captain outdoor alumni game

The Bakersfield Condors announced today that Wayne Gretzky and Luc Robitaille will serve as captains of the two NHL Alumni – Celebrity teams for an outdoor game on Friday, January 6 at Bakersfield College’s Memorial Stadium.

More NHL alumni and celebrities will be announced in the lead-up to the first day of Winterfest, Dec. 21.

The Alumni-Celebrity game comes the night before the Three-Way Chevrolet Condorstown Outdoor Classic presented by Mission Bank on Saturday, January 7, at 6 p.m. PT, featuring the Condors and the Ontario Reign, AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. The NHL Alumni-Celebrity Game is included with a purchase of an Outdoor Classic ticket.

“The success of the (California) NHL clubs has been very positive, but the (American Hockey League) teams in cities like Bakersfield and Ontario have elevated the sport that much higher and made it even more popular,” Gretzky said. “It’s great to see a city like Bakersfield with people who are excited about watching hockey and have gravitated to these players that one day will play in the National Hockey League.”

“This will bring new fans who may have seen only one or two hockey games, or maybe have never seen a hockey game,” Robitaille said. “They’ll go see it (the Alumni Game and the Outdoor Classic) and it is a lot of fun to be part of it. That’s why we do this. To bring new people and give them an opportunity to enjoy the game that we love.”

Both Gretzky and Robitaille are members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Gretzky was recently named Partner & Vice Chair of Oilers Entertainment Group. Robitaille has served as the President, Business Operations of the Los Angeles Kings since 2007.

To purchase tickets for the Three-Way Chevrolet Condorstown Outdoor Classic presented by Mission Bank, which includes admission to the NHL Alumni – Celebrity Outdoor Game, click here or call the Condors front office at 661-324-PUCK (7825).