The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) announced in a joint statement the cancellation of all international games for the 2020-2021 season.
“The NHLPA and the NHL remain committed to maintaining and growing our international presence,” the organizations said. “We hope that our fans overseas understand the need to postpone the 2020 games, but we look forward to being back with them in 2021.”
The Boston Bruins and the Nashville Predators were supposed to be the headline of the NHL Global Series in Europe, opening up the 2020-2021 season in Prague. The Czech Republic is home to several members of the Boston Bruins including alternate captain David Krejčí, David Pastrňák and Ondřej Kaše. While in Europe, the Bruins were supposed to have part of their training camp in Mannheim, Germany and square off against Adler Mannheim, a member of Germany’s highest and most prestigious hockey league.
In what would have been a homecoming for the Predators captain Roman Josi, the Nashville Predators were supposed to hold part of their training camp in Bern, Switzerland and play SC Bern, a member of the National League in Switzerland, in a preseason game prior to the Global Series matchup against the Boston Bruins.
The NHL has had success with these games in the past, as well as other global initiatives to get people more involved with the sport of hockey. Many players who are native to Europe are seen as legends and idols to local hockey fans.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Colorado Avalanche were also slated to play two games in Finland during the 2020-2021 season.
“We are disappointed by the postponement of our trip to Finland but look forward to having the opportunity to play in front of Finland’s passionate hockey fans in the future,” said Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen in a statement released by the team.
This is one of the first moves the NHL has made since putting the hockey season on hold in early March. The league has several big decisions still ahead, including whether they should finish the season. The future is unclear, but the NHL is taking steps to make sure the eventual return to hockey will be safe for all.
Photo courtesy of Chris Christo/Boston Herald.
