NHL Conquers Europe, Next: Africa?
October 7, 2008 by Matthew Mcgarnickle
The NHL opened its season last weekend in Europe with resounding success. Hockey fans in Sweden and the Czech Republic were treated to two games each between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightening.
Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the NHL, called the weekend an overwhelming triumph for the NHL and the game of hockey in Europe. “I saw the twinkle in those little Swedish boys’ eyes when the skaters took to the ice,” said Bettman. “If the game of hockey is this popular in Stockholm and Prague, then it is safe to suffice that the rest of Europe is also obsessed with the game. Job done.”
Bettman then hinted at the next region of the world that the NHL hopes to conquer. “I don’t want to reveal too much information,” said Bettman. “But we are currently planning to open next year’s regular season somewhere in Africa. We believe that ice hockey is a game that developing nations will embrace.”
After hearing this, a reporter questioned Bettman’s idea given that Africa’s desert climate does not accommodate ice hockey and that most countries are currently conflict zones, not to mention the fact that African people have absolutely no interest, or even knowledge of the game of hockey and the NHL.
“Those are just small details that can be worked out, have I ever let you down before?” responded Bettman
Comments
Feel free to leave a comment...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!