More than a decade into his NHL career and now into his mid-30s, this is a first for Joel Hanley.

The veteran defenceman has experienced opening night from a variety of angles — from the press-box, from the minors — but he never before has been in the lineup for Game 1 of a new campaign.

That will change Wednesday as the Calgary Flames lace ’em up for a let’s-get-going Battle of Alberta at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

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“It took me 11 years, so that will be cool to get that one,” Hanley said in the lead-up to the season-opener. “You always want to play in that one. It’s tough watching. Obviously, you want to be a great teammate, but you kind of want yourself to be in that position and you want to be out there playing and battling.”

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