Rittich, Hellebuyck unveil Heritage Classic goalie equipment

David Rittich of the Calgary Flames and Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets are getting into the spirit of the 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic.

Each goalie practiced Wednesday in equipment that will be debuted when the Flames face the Jets in the 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Oct. 26.
"It's nice. I like it," Flames captain Mark Giordano said of Rittich's setup featuring brown gear with red accents. "Anytime when goalies do that for the outdoor games I think it looks pretty cool. With the jerseys and the outdoor game and that combination, I think it'll look good."
Hellebuyck's setup featured white pads with predominantly red trim to compliment Winnipeg's throwback jersey. The Jets' jerseys resemble the ones they wore during the 1970s, when they played in the World Hockey Association. The striping on the sleeves and hem also matches that of the old jersey.

Calgary will wear retro jerseys featuring lettering, numbering and colors that replicate the Flames' uniform of 1989, when they won their only Stanley Cup championship.
Rittich's vintage setup is set to complete the throwback look.
"The first time I came out and shot at him today I was getting a little sea-sick," Calgary forward Matthew Tkachuk said. "I didn't know what I was looking at. I almost didn't shoot. I was in awe. I didn't see him put them on for the start of practice. It caught me a little off-guard. But they're pretty cool. It's grown on me. They're awesome.
"They're old-school. I like them. It's definitely growing on me. I think it'll be great for the outdoor game."
Tweet from @NHLFlames: Big Save Dave testing out his new #HeritageClassic gear this morning. 😍 pic.twitter.com/gjCfSzSMOa
Rittich, though, is planning to keep his full setup under wraps until next Saturday.
"It's a top-secret thing," said Rittich, who is 3-2-1 with a 2.80 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in six starts this season.
"You have to wait for that game and you'll see them close-up."
The 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic will be the first outdoor game in a non-NHL Canadian city, and 28th NHL regular-season outdoor game.