The 2017 SAP NHL Global Series™ will mark the sixth time the NHL has traveled to Europe to play regular-season games and the first such time since the 2011 Compuware NHL Premiere™, which took place in Berlin, Germany; Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden. These games reward the legion of loyal and passionate international fans by featuring some of the NHL's biggest stars and generating interest in the League worldwide. The games between Colorado and Ottawa on Nov. 10 and Nov. 11 will be the 21st and 22nd NHL regular-season games played in Europe. They also will be the seventh and eighth NHL regular-season games played in Sweden.
"We have more Swedish players than ever in the NHL, and we are extremely pleased that the 2017 SAP NHL Global Series will allow us to showcase a number of those players, with their NHL teams, in their homeland," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "The return of regular-season NHL games to the international stage will provide yet another highlight for our Centennial celebration."
"Hockey is a global sport, with NHL players from the world over, and we are focused on continued international growth," said Don Fehr, NHLPA Executive Director. "Playing NHL regular-season games at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm is an integral part of that effort and promises to be especially memorable. Our Players on the Senators and the Avalanche are looking forward to the 2017 SAP NHL Global Series."
"Like Canada, Sweden is a great hockey nation. The Ottawa Senators are proud of our rich history in drafting accomplished Swedish players including two of our hockey club's greatest captains, Erik Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson," said Senators Owner and Chairman Eugene Melnyk. "The Ottawa Senators are excited and honored to be part of the 2017 NHL Global Series. Our return to Stockholm, Sweden is a truly unique opportunity to showcase the Senators and NHL brands to a larger worldwide audience. With our highly anticipated hosting of an NHL Outdoor Classic game in December, the celebrations for the NHL's Centennial and now this special trip to Sweden, the 2017-18 hockey season is going to be an exciting one for all Senators fans."
"We are excited and proud to have the opportunity to play regular-season games in Sweden as part of the 2017 SAP NHL Global Series," said Avalanche President Josh Kroenke. "Sweden and the city of Stockholm have a rich history of hockey, and we look forward to playing in front of their great fans and continuing to showcase the NHL overseas. Hockey is truly a global sport and the Avalanche's roster includes players from not only the United States and Canada, but from Sweden, Finland, Russia and Switzerland. We are especially pleased that our fans across Europe and especially Sweden will be able to enjoy this series."