The Tulsa Oilers hockey team, an Anaheim Ducks and San Diego Gulls affiliate, will temporarily change its name to the Route 66 Blue Whales for home games on Jan. 10-11 in tribute to the historic highway and the Blue Whale landmark in nearby Catoosa.
According to a news release from the Oilers, the team will wear special jerseys and offer themed giveaways at the BOK Center each night.
Spectators can purchase those special jerseys and other specialized merchandise during the games. Below is an image of Oilers players showing up the jerseys.
More from the news release:
Route 66 is an integral part of Green Country culture, growing the region thanks to increased commerce from America’s most famous road. Established on November 11, 1926, Route 66 connected Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles County California, spanning 2,448 miles. Featured in movies, literature, television and other popular media, the United States’ Mother Road allowed Americans and people from around the world to experience the diversity of American culture in ways never seen before.
Route 66, which was officialized and signed just one year before the Oilers’ inaugural season in 1928, holds a special place in Tulsa’s oldest professional sports team’s existence. Early Oilers’ teams often traveled Route 66 entirely for games in Chicago, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City and St. Louis, and used routes branching off the Mother Road for games all over the U.S., including Kansas City, Minneapolis, Omaha and more.
The Blue Whales will play the Fort Wayne Komets both days, with them starting at 7:05 p.m.
Tickets are available at the BOK Center box office or online.
Hugh Davis hand-made the Blue Whale from concrete and shaped rebar in 1972 as an anniversary gift to his wife. The Blue Whale and its spring-fed pond for years became a popular swimming hole for locals and travelers along Route 66.
It closed in 1988 and fell into disrepair until it was restored in the early 2000s.
The City of Catoosa purchased the Blue Whale site in 2020 from the Davis family for $1.5 million, with plans to make further improvements to the property.
(Images courtesy of Zack Reynolds, director of medial relations for the Tulsa Oilers)
Will they make the jersey’s available to the public?
Yes.