NHL to open '10-11 in Helsinki, Stockholm, Prague

The NHL is expanding its foray overseas for the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere games.

What started as an experiment with the Kings and Ducks going to London to start the 2007-08 season has turned into three major events on the NHL schedule to start the 2010-11 season.

"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. "With these games, nearly half of our Clubs will have participated in Premiere -- a testament to how excited our teams are to be playing before our outstanding fans in Europe."

A record six teams will be opening next season in three different European cities.

The Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild will play two regular-season games against each other at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, on Thursday, Oct. 7 and Friday, Oct. 8.

The Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks will square off for two games at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday, Oct. 8 and Saturday, Oct. 9.

The Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes will play each other at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic, on Saturday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 10.
The NHL has played regular-season games in all three arenas before, but never all in the same season.

"The 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere Games, featuring six participating clubs this year, represents our continued commitment to growing hockey outside of North America, further displaying the talent of the NHL players internationally," said Mike Ouellet, NHLPA Chief of Business Affairs. "Fans in Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic will have the opportunity to watch some of their own home-grown players competing in these regular season NHL games, which will certainly be a great experience for everyone involved."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=516907

Is it some foreign abbreviation? :shrug:

:spank:

Enquiring minds need to know!

Not really.:P

Anybody know the time zone? What godawful time of the night will I have to get my Sharks fix?

Probably like 7 or 8 in the morning if it's a night game there. I watch some hockey from over there and it's usually on around 10 or 11 in the morning here in the East, so I'm guessing they're 8-10 hours ahead of us.