[News] Kings and Coyotes to play preseason games in Melbourne, Australia next season.

[getbak]

"Crikey, what's hockey ya ####?"

https://twitter.com/user/status/1645943698662760451

The NHL will appear in Australia for the first time when the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings play preseason games in the 2023 NHL Global Series -- Melbourne on Sept. 23 and 24.

The Coyotes and Kings will skate inside Rod Laver Arena, home of the Australian Open tennis tournament, on a rink the NHL will construct with many of the same parts used for outdoor games. The retractable roof will remain closed.

Well, if anyone knows what it's like to play in front of a bunch of people who know nothing about hockey.

[Jetfire]

They should have sent the Blues over instead so Nathan Walker could play on home soil.

[TheScorpion]

Well, if the Coyotes end up getting Bedard, this could end up being a pretty interesting event ...

Originally Posted by Jetfire

They should have sent the Blues over instead so Nathan Walker could play on home soil.

He's a UFA. Wonder if either of these teams try to sign him this summer.

In fact, Walker originally signed with the Blues in 2019 ... while current Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong was AGM in St. Louis. So I could totally see the Coyotes bringing him in.

[getbak]

CapFriendly says Walker signed a one-year extension (for next season) with the Blues last July.

[Shazam]

Ridiculous, how do they expect to stick to the ice while upside down?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by getbak

CapFriendly says Walker signed a one-year extension (for next season) with the Blues last July.

Yup, my bad.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Ridiculous, how do they expect to stick to the ice while upside down?

Gravity goes the other way down there.

[Jordan!]

Let’s go Dingo’s!

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

That's pretty cool. If there's any Australian CP'ers in the area I hope they get the opportunity to attend.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Gravity goes the other way down there.

At least they aren't playing in Rand McNally. I heard hamburgers eat people there.

[FireGilbert]

Good news for Australian hockey fans and Melbourne is a top sporting city that will be a great host, but can't help thinking this is an excuse for NHL execs and sponsors to get a Australian vacation while helping the Coyotes attendance as opposed to a legitimate attempt to grow the game.

Hockey barely registers on the sporting radar here with less than 50x the participation as lawn bowling and a niche fan base of ex pats and a few locals who spent time in Canada. The only reason the average Aussie knows that hockey is a thing is from The Mighty Ducks. There is no exposure to it here without a historic culture, only 3 games a week on a cable/streaming service, and a semi-pro league lucky to get 3 figures in attendance.

If the NHL is serious about growing the game down under they need to do more than bring a couple exhibition games here. Would love to see them organize street hockey tournaments for example. The average Aussie isn't going to learn to skate but you could get them into the NHL through street/ball/roller hockey. They also need to get games on free to air television. A weekly game would be ideal but at least find a broadcast partner for the Cup finals.

Is kind of neat there will be a hockey game played on a grand slam tennis court.

[カナダ人です]

who wants to see the Coyotes play? Not even people in Pheonix want to see them play.....

[cam_calderon]

Considering going to this (I live in Sydney), but the fact its preseason and not the Flames means I'm not that interested.

Must say if Bedard is somehow there, though, I'll probably be convinced to go.

[Gemnoble]

My estranged brother lives in Perth, wonder if he'll make the trip out.

[badger89]

I'm living in Melbourne (originally from Calgary) and looking forward to going to the game. I imagine it'll be mostly expats, like when the European teams come over to play rugby. Heck, India and Pakistan sold out the MCG in Melbourne with over 90,000 in attendance!

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[Gemnoble]

Originally Posted by badger89

I'm living in Melbourne (originally from Calgary) and looking forward to going to the game. I imagine it'll be mostly expats, like when the European teams come over to play rugby. Heck, India and Pakistan sold out the MCG in Melbourne with over 90,000 in attendance!

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India and Pakistan in Rugby or Cricket? Weird thought them playing rugby.

[UKflames]

Shame they keep ignoring the UK, where there are heaps of NHL fans.


Games in Scandanavia, yep, Germany, yep, Austria, yep, pretty much anywhere in Europe or the rest of the world but not the UK, so annoying.

[badger89]

Originally Posted by Gemnoble

India and Pakistan in Rugby or Cricket? Weird thought them playing rugby.

Yeah, it was cricket.

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