Related News
Home » Sports » Ice Hockey
6 teams to open season in Europe
February 11, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A RECORD six National Hockey League teams will open their regular season in Europe this year, the league and its players' association announced on Tuesday.
In a news release, the league said the teams were the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Phoenix Coyotes and San Jose Sharks.
The Hurricanes and Wild will play two games in Helsinki on October 7-8 with the Blue Jackets and Sharks playing in Stockholm on October 8-9.
The third game of the series, known as the Premiere Games, will feature the Bruins and Coyotes in Prague on October 9-10.
"The Premiere Games are a highly anticipated part of our season launch and we are extremely pleased that six teams, more than ever, will open their season in Europe," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
"With these games, nearly half of our clubs will have participated (in the Premiere Games) - a testament to how excited our teams are to be playing before our outstanding fans in Europe."
The contests mark the fourth consecutive year the NHL will play games outside North America.
This season, the Detroit Red Wings and St Louis Blues opened in Stockholm, with the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks meeting in Helsinki.
"I think it's going to be a great experience, to go back and play in your home country," Hurricanes defenseman and Finnish native Joni Pitkanen said.
As many as 18 players with ties to the three countries could be on home ice during the series according to current rosters.
In a news release, the league said the teams were the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Phoenix Coyotes and San Jose Sharks.
The Hurricanes and Wild will play two games in Helsinki on October 7-8 with the Blue Jackets and Sharks playing in Stockholm on October 8-9.
The third game of the series, known as the Premiere Games, will feature the Bruins and Coyotes in Prague on October 9-10.
"The Premiere Games are a highly anticipated part of our season launch and we are extremely pleased that six teams, more than ever, will open their season in Europe," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
"With these games, nearly half of our clubs will have participated (in the Premiere Games) - a testament to how excited our teams are to be playing before our outstanding fans in Europe."
The contests mark the fourth consecutive year the NHL will play games outside North America.
This season, the Detroit Red Wings and St Louis Blues opened in Stockholm, with the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks meeting in Helsinki.
"I think it's going to be a great experience, to go back and play in your home country," Hurricanes defenseman and Finnish native Joni Pitkanen said.
As many as 18 players with ties to the three countries could be on home ice during the series according to current rosters.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
