Blackhawks, Senators to play 2 games in Germany next season

"Deputy commissioner Bill Daly called the commitment to grassroots development in Germany "a critical next chapter for the NHL." Rob Zepp, the union's Director of International Strategy and Growth, played several years in Germany and represented the national team as a goaltender during his career and said it "is a wonderful country with an avid, sophisticated hockey audience that is eager to engage with the NHL.""

"Senators forward Tim Stützle is expected to be the big star of the event. Stützle grew up just outside Duesseldorf in Viesen and led Germany in goals at the Milan Cortina Olympics with four. "I think German hockey has been growing a lot, and there are a lot of great players from there," Stützle said. "Hopefully it gets even more people to play hockey in Germany.""

"Germany, with Stützle, 2020 NHL MVP Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and emerging star Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings, lost in the quarterfinals at the Olympics. The country's team went on an improbable run to the final at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, with now-Boston Bruins coach and retired player Marco Sturm behind the bench."

The NHL and NHLPA announced two regular-season Global Series games between the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators in Düsseldorf, Germany on December 18 and 20 at PSD Bank Dome. These games represent the second and third regular-season contests held in Germany, following a 2011 matchup between Buffalo and Los Angeles in Berlin. Since 2007, the league has played 42 regular-season games across Europe. The initiative focuses on grassroots development and growing hockey's popularity in Germany. Senators forward Tim Stützle, who grew up near Düsseldorf, is expected to be a major attraction. Germany has produced notable NHL talent including Leon Draisaitl and Moritz Seider, and the national team reached the 2018 Olympics final.

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