NHL returning to Germany next season as part of campaign to grow game in country
The NHL has held 22 games in Germany, including one in the regular season, 12 in the preseason and nine in the offseason. The most recent game 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 game was the Premiere Series in Berlin on Oct. 8, 2011, when the Sabres defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-2.
The NHL’s investment in Germany will reach well beyond the ice. This weekend marks the debut of Hockey Day in Germany, the first program of its kind in the country. The March 13-14 celebration will engage fans through a series of hockey-centric activities, including interactive experiences at the NHL Global Fan Tour, an appearance by the Stanley Cup, e-gaming competitions and a live viewing event for the “NHL Saturday presented by Fastenal” broadcast featuring the Anaheim Ducks and Senators.
“From a team perspective, this is good for us, really, because we get to showcase one of our stars in Europe,” Senators president Cyril Leeder said. “Hockey is a global game now, of the team sports, maybe soccer and hockey probably top two in the world. So you know, there are fans now that are following our team, from Germany, from Sweden, all over the globe.”
Stutzle, 24, said having the NHL play games in Germany, and all over Europe for that matter, helps kids start to dream of playing in 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 said. “If you see those guys play over there, those are role models, I think it’s really important.”
Stutzle said he saw it firsthand when the Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs all played against each other in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2023.
“It was a packed rink every night,” Stutzle said. “Just the excitement the people have in Europe and all over the world, so just really cool to see.”
Chicago played in the 2019 Global Series in Prague, Czechia, losing 4-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Blackhawks also played in the Premiere Series in 2009 in Helsinki, Finland. They lost 4-3 in a shootout and then won 4-0 against the Florida Panthers.
This will be the first NHL trip overseas for Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard.
“I think when we found out the whole team was pretty fired up,” said Bedard, the No. 1 pick in 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.”
