Florida Panthers to play two games in Europe

Bill Jempty | Thursday, February 12, 2009

Wouldn’t it have been nicer to open the year after Panther’s most successful season in a decade in front of its own fans? From the Sun-Sentinel-

The Panthers will open the 2009-10 regular season in Europe.

Team president Michael Yormark said Thursday the Panthers have accepted the NHL’s invitation to play two games against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“It’s good for the profile of our franchise and our exposure,” Yormark said.

The games reportedly will take place in Helsinki, Finland, though Yormark would not confirm the site. He said an official announcement is expected in late February.

It had been rumored that the Panthers and Blackhawks would play a pair in the Czech Republic, from where five players on the roster hail.

As a fan, I don’t like seeing the teams I root for playing half way around the world in some kind of promotion. I lose, other Panther fans lose. What do I care if Finnish people get to see a Panther game, or the Brits a Miami Dolphin game. These are my teams, not theirs.

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Tags | Fan Relations, NHL Bill Jempty, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers

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