NHL returning to Germany subsequent season as a part of marketing campaign to develop recreation in nation

The NHL has held 22 video games in Germany, together with one within the common season, 12 within the preseason and 9 within the offseason. The most up-to-date recreation in Germany was the 2024 Global Series Challenge Germany between Munchen EHC Red Bull and the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 27, 2024. The one regular-season recreation was the Premiere Series in Berlin on Oct. 8, 2011, when the Sabres defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-2.

The NHL’s funding in Germany will attain effectively past the ice. This weekend marks the debut of Hockey Day in Germany, the primary program of its variety within the nation. The March 13-14 celebration will have interaction followers by means of a sequence of hockey-centric actions, together with interactive experiences on the NHL Global Fan Tour, an look by the Stanley Cup, e-gaming competitions and a dwell viewing occasion for the “NHL Saturday presented by Fastenal” broadcast that includes the Anaheim Ducks and Senators.

“From a workforce perspective, that is good for us, actually, as a result of we get to showcase one among our stars in Europe,” Senators president Cyril Leeder said. “Hockey is a world recreation now, of the workforce sports activities, perhaps soccer and hockey in all probability prime two on this planet. So you realize, there are followers now which are following our workforce, from Germany, from Sweden, all around the globe.”

Stutzle, 24, stated having the NHL play video games in Germany, and throughout Europe for that matter, helps children begin to dream of taking part in within the NHL.

“The NHL is the best league in the world. As a kid, that’s what you dream of, maybe not right away, but if you get higher and higher, it makes you work harder to achieve that dream,” Stutzle stated. “If you see those guys play over there, those are role models, I think it’s really important.”

Stutzle stated he noticed it firsthand when the Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs all performed in opposition to one another in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2023.

“It was a packed rink every night,” Stutzle stated. “Just the excitement the people have in Europe and all over the world, so just really cool to see.”

Chicago performed within the 2019 Global Series in Prague, Czechia, shedding 4-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Blackhawks additionally performed within the Premiere Series in 2009 in Helsinki, Finland. They misplaced 4-3 in a shootout after which received 4-0 in opposition to the Florida Panthers.

This would be the first NHL journey abroad for Blackhawks ahead Connor Bedard.

“I think when we found out the whole team was pretty fired up,” stated Bedard, the No. 1 choose within the 2023 NHL Draft. “It’s a great opportunity for us. Just spreading (the game) to other parts of the world and showing our skill set and what we do over here, we’re excited.”