NHL to play matches for 1st time in Australia

In September, Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyotes will be the first NHL teams to play in Australia.

That will be the 1^st time that NHL games will be played on this continent.

The NHL is heading to Australia! 🦘🌏

The @LAKings and @ArizonaCoyotes will face off in preseason action in Melbourne, Australia on September 23rd and 24th. pic.twitter.com/NwCJu73BQa

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 12, 2023

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Kings and Coyotes will have 2 demonstration matches at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on September 23 and 24. That will be the 4^th continent where NHL teams will face off.

“The Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings are two of our league’s rising young teams and among our most innovative and adventurous franchises,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said on Tuesday.

Both franchises had matches besides the USA and Canada before giving the green light to play in Australia.

The only Aussie player in the league is Nathan Walker, who plays for St. Louis Blues. Walker said that he was sad that his team was not selected for the matches in Australia.

“It’ll be great for the game of hockey,” Nathan said. “I hope they can grow it a bit more back home. I know all my buddies back home are pumped to watch it.”