The NHL has sent out a media advisory for a “special announcement” taking place at LeSports Center in Beijing, China next week.
The announcement, which will include NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, is expected to confirm rumours that the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings will be playing exhibition games in China prior to next season.
The media release did not mention the Canucks or Kings specifically, but the LA Kings PR Twitter account sure did.
Nǐ hǎo. NHL tonight announces Kings & #Canucks to participate in Special Announcement next week at LeSports Center in Beijing, China.
— LAKingsPR (@LAKingsPR) March 24, 2017
Media availability will take place on Thursday morning in Beijing (7:30 pm PT on Wednesday in Vancouver), where we should find out more precise details of the game(s).
ESPN’s Scott Burnside has reported that it’s expected both teams will play two games against each other, one in Beijing, and the other in Shanghai.
See also
- Bettman needs to realize that NHL needs Olympics more than Olympics need them
- Report: Canucks in discussions to play exhibition game in China next season
The timing of the NHL going to Asia for hockey games is interesting, as negotiations are still ongoing between the league and the IOC about participating in the Winter Olympics in Korea next year. Insiders believe the league is lukewarm on participating in the 2018 Games, but are intrigued by Beijing 2022.
This won’t be the first time the Canucks have gone to Asia. Vancouver played two regular season games against the Anaheim Ducks in Tokyo at the start of the 1997-98 season. The Canucks have also held summer hockey camps in China in recent years.