Rangers and Lightning head for Prague to open season

NEW YORK, NY – Last season the National Hockey League opened it’s season in London with a two game series between the LA Kings, and the Anaheim Ducks. The games took place at the O2 arena and Prohockeynews.com was there to cover the series. “It was great fun and the fans were excited by the opportunity to see NHL level play,” said Kevin O’Connor, UK editor for Prohockeynews.com. “The whole atmosphere was great and the play was outstanding.” Seeing the London event as the success that it was, the NHL has been working to expand it’s reach to a more international audience, and build

interest in the game and the league through icing games on international surfaces. On October 4^th, the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning will face off in the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic. The game marks the first time either team will have played outside of North America. For the NHL, it is the second year running for the event and the opportunity to go head-to-head with the new Continental Hockey League (based in Russia). The value of having games played overseas cannot be overlooked. The Continental League has been making noise over the past few months as it threatens to lure NHL players away with the prospect of big pay days. Most recently, former Ottawa Senators goaltender Ray Emery signed to play with Atlant Mytishchi. For Prague and hockey fans in the Czech Republic, the Rangers and Lightning represent an opportunity to showcase the arena and attract NHL level players. “The interest in the game has been fantastic,” said Zdenek Zikmund, Prague O2 Arena spokesman. “Within one hour we had sold out the arena and with the interest from fans we might as well have been able to sell the arena out three times over.” With a different outcome over the free agency period, the Rangers might have skated with Jaronir Jagr, but his departure prevented that. “Had Jaromir been on the roster we might have been able to sell 500,000 tickets,” quipped Zikmund. “Without him, we easily might have sold 250,000!” As it is, the O2 arena will have more than 17,000 hockey fans in attendance. The Rangers-Lightning tilt is the step in the hockey environment in the Czech Republic. “The World Championships in 2004 were held at the O2 Arena,” said Zikmund. “That was the most visited in the history of the facility. Only the NHL game will surpass that event.” Zikmund added that the World Championship game was watched by more television viewers than the last championship game held in Canada. The October game will also feature the debut of Steve Stamkos, the Lightning’s and the NHL’s first overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The game is a can’t miss opportunity for the NHL, but it’s ability to go head-to-head with the Continental Hockey League will be measured by the press, and afterglow of the game. Contact the author at lou.lafrado@prohockeynews.com