Excitement Among Berlin Sports Fans: NHL's Potential Return to the City!
Ice hockey aficionados in Berlin are buzzing with anticipation, as rumors swirl about the NHL's potential return to the city. The best ice hockey league in North America is known for sending individual teams to Europe each year, and Berlin might just be next on the list.
A Favorable Position for Berlin and the Eisbären
Berlin, along with the city's Eisbären team, is in a prime position to welcome back the NHL. The last time the San José Sharks graced the Mercedes-Benz Arena was in 2022, resulting in a 1:3 loss for the Eisbären [1].
Thomas Bothstede, the Eisbären's managing director, expressed his enthusiasm for the NHL visiting Berlin again. "We're always happy when the NHL comes to Berlin," he said. "When we're asked, we're always very interested."
The city's advantage doesn't stop there. Eisbären owner Phil Anschutz is heavily involved in the NHL himself. Anschutz, a business magnate known for his prowess in real estate, oil, and railroad industries, owns the Los Angeles Kings [1].
Peter John Lee, a deputy chairman of the Eisbären's supervisory board, added to the excitement. They'll be heading back to Los Angeles in February for consultations and will have more information then [1]. Berlin faces significant competition, with cities like Munich and Mannheim also eager to host the NHL.
The NHL's European Adventures
The NHL has a history of traveling to Europe to showcase its top-notch talent. European cities like Stockholm, Prague, and Helsinki are also on the list of possible venues for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, along with Berlin [3]. The NHL's previous European visits have received rave reviews, with fans and teams alike appreciating the unique atmosphere and passion that European ice hockey enthusiasts bring to the table.
Preparing for the Magical Ice Day
As the city waits with bated breath, local media outlets like regio sport berlin and sport - leuchtturm berlin are providing updates and coverage of the potential NHL games in Berlin [2]. Ice hockey fans in Mannheim and other cities across Germany are eagerly tuning in, eager to cheer for their favorite teams in international match-ups.
Berlin sports enthusiasts are looking forward to the "sports day" in the ticker, when the final decision will be announced. Regardless of the outcome, the anticipation and excitement among fans have already made this potential return a significant moment forget in the city's sports history.
References
- , "NHL loves Berlin: Spectacular return to the capital – is the best league in the world coming back again?", accessed December 16, 2023.
- , "Berliner Eisbären: NHL spricht wieder zur Berliner Eisbären", accessed December 16, 2023.
- , "World Cup of Hockey 2028", accessed December 16, 2023.
