For the first time since 2019, the NHL’s regular season will not begin in North America, but rather over in Europe for the 2022 NHL Global Series.
According to QuantHockey, over 25% of the league’s participants hail from Europe. There are countries like Sweden and Finland, which constantly churn out top talent, and then there are other countries like Slovakia, Germany and Switzerland which have seen an increase over the years in players making it to the show.
In an effort to expand events outside of the United States and Canada, the NHL will be playing its fourth Global Series this season. The first two games of the regular season will be played in the Czech Republic before the league goes to Finland in early November for another two-game set.
With European talent spreading out across all 32 teams, it’s an opportunity to give fans in Europe the chance to watch some of their homegrown players in person.
MORE: When does NHL regular season start?
Here is everything you need to know about the 2022 NHL Global Series.
What is the NHL Global Series?
The NHL Global Series is an opportunity for the league to bring its product overseas to Europe to play NHL games in front of a different market.
The league has been playing games internationally since the NHL started back in the early 1900s, but the Global Series was only recently added to the slate.
Where is the NHL Global Series?
- Locations: Prague, Czech Republic/Tampere, Finland
There will be two sets of games during the regular season for the NHL Global Series. First, it’s the Predators and the Sharks playing at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.
Later, at the beginning of November, the Blue Jackets and Avalanche will play two games at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland.
What is the NHL Global Series Challenge?
Before the regular season games, the NHL Global Series Challenge consists of two preseason games being played between one NHL. This pins one NHL team going against a professional team from Europe in an exhibition match.
The Predators are playing SC Bern, who plays in Switzerland’s National League. The Sharks are set to square off against Eisbaren Berlin, a team that competes in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
Where is the NHL Global Series Challenge?
- Locations: Bern, Switzerland/Berlin, Germany
Each preseason match will be played at a different location. Nashville’s game against SC Bern will be played at PostFinance-Arena in Bern. San Jose’s contest will be in Berlin at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Past NHL Global Series games
This is the fourth year that NHL has put on an NHL Global Series event and first time since 2019 that the league is playing overseas in Europe.
2017 NHL Global Series
| Date | City | Arena | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 10 | Stockholm, Sweden | Ericsson Globe | Senators 4, Avalanche 3 (OT) |
| No. 11 | Stockholm, Sweden | Ericsson Globe | Senators 4, Avalanche 3 |
2018 NHL Global Series
| Date | City | Arena | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 1 | Bern, Switzerland | PostFinance Arena | Devils 3, SC Bern 2 (OT) |
| Oct. 3 | Cologne, Germany | Lanxess Arena | Oilers 4, Kolner Haie 3 (OT) |
| Oct. 6 | Gothenburg, Sweden | Scandinavium | Devils 5, Oilers 2 |
| Nov. 1 | Helsinki, Finland | Hartwell Arena | Jets 4, Panthers 2 |
| Nov. 2 | Helsinki, Finland | Hartwell Arena | Panthers 4, Jets 2 |
2019 NHL Global Series
| Date | City | Arena | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 29 | Berlin, Germany | Mercedes-Benz Arena | Blackhawks 3, Eisbaren Berlin 1 |
| Sept. 30 | Lausanne, Switzerland | Vaudoise Arena | Lausanne HC 4, Flyers 3 |
| Oct. 4 | Prague, Czech Republic | O2 Arena | Flyers 4, Blackhawks 3 |
| Nov. 8 | Stockholm, Sweden | Ericsson Globe | Lightning 3, Sabres 2 |
| Nov. 9 | Stockholm, Sweden | Ericsson Globe | Lightning 5, Sabres 3 |
