The Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks will play two preseason games on Sept. 21 and 23 in China next season, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced during a press conference at LeSports Center in Beijing on Wednesday night.
The game on Sept. 21 will take place at the Mercedez-Benz Arena in Shanghai, while the Sept. 23 contest will take place at the LeSports Center in Beijing.
On top of the preseason games - which will be the first ever in China - Bettman also unveiled the plans of a collaboration to help grow and develop the game of hockey in China.
"The 2017 NHL China Games presented by O.R.G. Packaging represent the formal launch of what we hope will be a long and successful collaboration between our League, our teams and our partners in accelerating the development of hockey in China," Bettman said. "We look forward to our first games in China and to a variety of initiatives that will inspire generations of Chinese players and fans to enjoy our sport. We recognize the importance of helping China build a strong national hockey program and are committed to supporting that priority in every way possible."
The NHL plans to hold grassroots hockey programs and schools to help support local youth in an attempt to grow participation in the sport - an initiative that has already begun with both the Kings and Canucks having held hockey camps in China in recent years.
"Bringing NHL players to China for two games in September will give both current and potential new fans in Shanghai and Beijing a chance to watch some of the best hockey players in the world," said NHLPA special assistant to the Executive Director, Mathieu Schneider. "The NHLPA is committed to growing hockey internationally, and the players fully appreciate the opportunity ahead in the coming years to expand the game's footprint. The players on the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks are looking forward to participating in the 2017 NHL China Games for what will certainly be a great experience in their careers."
The initiative will hold significant importance in China with the 2022 Winter Olympics being held in Beijing.
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