NHL could revisit London, says league’s executive vice president

With the NHL Global Series set to resume next week, the league is mulling over a possible return to London.

In an interview with 32 Thoughts, Steve Mayer – the NHL’s chief content officer and senior executive vice president – revealed that the league could return to the United Kingdom for the first time in over a decade.

“We want to continue growing the game in Europe, going to different countries, and mixing it up – whether it’s a player media tour or a game in Paris. We’re looking at London. We’re looking all over Europe,” he explained when asked about the uniqueness of hockey culture in Europe.

Lightning’s Pierre-Édouard Bellemare on the NHL’s European return

“What I love about going to Europe is the attention that our player[s] from that county gets: it’s unbelievable, it’s beyond rockstar status and you do not see that here. Our guys can come to the rink and walk down the street. In Europe, if you’re from Finland and you’re playing in the [Global Series Game] in Finland, you’re mobbed. It’s crazy. It’s fantastic.”

For the 2022 Global Series, the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks took on opponents from Germany and Switzerland before facing-off against one another in a two-game series in Prague, Czechia.

On November 4-5, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche will resume the event with back-to-back games in Tampere, Finland.

Explained: the NHL’s history of playing in the United Kingdom

There is a long-standing tradition of the NHL playing overseas, including in the United Kingdom.

Hockey became the first Big Four sport to play outside North America in 1938, when the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings toured England and France.

The NHL has played in 15 countries across Europe and Asia since, with eight franchises visiting the United Kingdom:

Detroit Red Wings – Montreal Canadiens, 1938 European Tour

• 21 April, London: Detroit Red Wings 4-5 Montreal Canadiens (OT)
• 23 April, Brighton: Detroit Red Wings 5-5 Montreal Canadiens
• 5 May, London: Detroit Red Wings 3-6 Montreal Canadiens
• 7 May, Brighton: Detroit Red Wings 10-5 Montreal Canadiens
• 10 May, London: Detroit Red Wings 4-5 Montreal Canadiens
• 14 May, Brighton: Detroit Red Wings 5-2 Montreal Canadiens

Boston Bruins – New York Rangers, 1959 European Tour

• 29 April, London: Boston Bruins 7-5 New York Rangers
• 30 April, London: Boston Bruins 4-3 New York Rangers

Chicago Blackhawks – Montreal Canadiens, 1992 English Games

• 12 September, London: Chicago Blackhawks 2-3 Montreal Canadiens
• 13 September, London: Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 Montreal Canadiens (OT)

New York Rangers – Toronto Maple Leafs, 1993 English Games

• 11 September, London: Toronto Maple Leafs 3-5 New York Rangers
• 12 September, London: New York Rangers 3-1 Toronto Maple Leafs

2007 NHL Premiere

• 29 September, London: Anaheim Ducks 1-4 Los Angeles Kings
• 30 September, London: Los Angeles Kings 1-4 Anaheim Ducks

2010 NHL Premiere

• 2 October, Belfast: Boston Bruins 5-1 Belfast Giants Selects

Brad Marchand’s Boston Bruins, in action versus the Belfast Giants in 2010 (Image: Darran Gilpin)

Hockey should take inspiration from European football, says NHL’s executive vice president

In a podcast appearance with Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman, Mayer confirmed that the NHL is inspired by the fan culture that surrounds sports in Europe.

“We talk about game presentation in various ways and it’s one of the departments that I oversee with the league and we’re really proud of what we’ve done in our arenas,” he explained.

“It’s actually quite unique overseas [because] some of the game presentation is driven by the fans: they’re ready to sing and chant together, they’re very organised and I admire that, I think it’s incredible. It’s in hockey, it’s in soccer – or their football – and I think it’s something that we’re starting to see a little more in our buildings,” he said, referencing the Colorado Avalanche’s affinity with Blink-182.

"All The Small Things": #StanleyCup Final rendition. 🎶@Avalanche | #GoAvsGo | @NHL pic.twitter.com/R6huMq4iSe

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 16, 2022

“I think there are things we should seize on based on how Europeans appreciate sport. I also think we’re going to see the gambling aspect of fan participation in the U.S. and Canada. It’s quite high in Europe, it’s a part of the culture and every single sporting event – not necessarily in hockey, but in other sports.”

Would you like to see the NHL return to London? Join the conversation by tweeting @BritIceHockey.