Throughout the history of the National Hockey League (NHL), there has been a long-standing tradition of international games played by NHL teams. The following is a list of games played by NHL teams against other NHL teams and non-NHL teams outside the United States and Canada, as well games played by NHL teams in the United States and Canada against non-North American teams.
The first NHL international games were held as part of the 1938 Detroit Red Wings–Montreal Canadiens European tour, where the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens played a nine-game series in various cities in England and France from April 21 to May 14.[1] That first game played on April 21, 1938 was the first one organized by any major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, to take place outside North America. Since then, the league has staged games throughout Europe and in Japan, China, and Australia. While most NHL international games have been exhibition or preseason contests, the first ones to count towards the league's regular seasons standings were held in October 3–4, 1997, when the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Vancouver Canucks played a two-game series in Japan to open the 1997–98 regular season.
In the tables below:
Bolded team names denote winners.
† Indicates regular season games.
Europe
1938 Detroit Red Wings–Montreal Canadiens European tour
In 1938, for the first time in NHL history two of the league's teams, the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens, went on a tour of Europe with a nine-game series in England and France. The Canadiens won the series with a record of 5–3–1.
The first game in Geneva was attended by a sell-out crowd of 11,000, the attendance for the Zürich games was 4500 and 2000.[3] In Berlin, only 600 people went to see the first game.[4][5]
In 1980, the Minnesota North Stars and the Washington Capitals participated in the DN-Cup, a round-robin tournament in Sweden sponsored by the newspaper Dagens Nyheter, with Swedish teams AIK and Djurgården from Stockholm. Six games were played in total, five involving the NHL teams (AIK beat Djurgården 1–0 on September 21, attendance: 2,668[28]). Washington won the tournament with a 3–0–0 record, Minnesota finished second with 2–1–0, AIK finished third and Djurgården last.
In 1981, the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals participated in the round-robin DN-Cup in Sweden with Swedish teams Västra Frölunda, AIK, and Djurgården. The New York won the tournament with a 4–0–0 record, ahead of AIK, Västra Frölunda, Washington (1–3–0) and Djurgården.[30] The list of DN-Cup games excludes three games played without NHL participation.[Note 1]
Each NHL team played an additional game in Finland, against HIFK and Oulun Kärpät. In total, the NHL teams posted a record of 5–3–0 against the European teams, New York finished 3–1–0, Washington 2–2–0 (excluding the NHL-only game).
For the game in Sweden, the NHL had required the Canadiens to wear generic orange jerseys with the NHL shield, but backed off when the organisation was uncooperative.[50]
1994 NHL International Challenge in Finland, with the Winnipeg Jets
In 1994, the original Winnipeg Jets played in a four-team compressed tournament with HIFK Helsinki, Helsinki Jokerit, and Tappara Tampere in Finland. The Jets won their first game against Tappara, and then HIFK in the final. The tournament had been set up for a final game between Teemu Selänne's old team (Jokerit) and current team (the Jets).
During the 1994–95 NHL lockout, Wayne Gretzky formed a team called the Ninety Nine All Stars to play a tour of exhibition games across Europe against various European club teams, in order to stay in game shape and raise money for charity.
1998 Buffalo Sabres–Tampa Bay Lightning Austrian tournament
In 1998, the Buffalo Sabres and the Tampa Bay Lightning played in a three-game tournament in Austria against the Austrian teams KAC Klagenfurt and VEU Feldkirch. The NHL teams won the tournament with a record of 2–0–0, excluding the NHL-only game.
In 2007, the NHL opened its regular season in Europe for the first time. The Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings played a two-game series in England that counting towards the 2007–08 regular season. Each team won one game. Prior to this, the Kings played a two-game series in Austria against the Austrian team Red Bull Salzburg and the Swedish team Färjestad Karlstad, winning both.
In 2009, four teams from the NHL (the Chicago Blackhawks, the Detroit Red Wings, the Florida Panthers, and the St. Louis Blues) opened their 2009–10 regular seasons in Europe. The Blackhawks and the Panthers played a two-game series in Finland, with each team winning once. The Red Wings and the Blues played a two-game series in Sweden, with the Blues winning both games. Prior to this, the Blackhawks played in the second annual Victoria Cup against ZSC Lions from Switzerland. All four teams also played against various European teams (Jokerit Helsinki and Tappara Tampere from Finland, HC Davos from Switzerland, and Färjestad BK and Linköpings HC from Sweden). The NHL teams had a record of 4–2–0 against the European teams.
In 2011, four teams from the NHL (the Anaheim Ducks, the Buffalo Sabres, the Los Angeles Kings, and the New York Rangers) opened their regular seasons in Europe, marking the fifth straight season of the NHL Premiere games. On October 7, the Ducks and the Sabres played a game in Finland, while the Kings and the Rangers played a game in Sweden. The next day, the Ducks and the Rangers played a game in Sweden, while the Sabres and the Kings played a game in Germany. These teams also played exhibition games against HC Sparta Prague from the Czech Republic, Frölunda HC from Sweden, Slovan Bratislava from Slovakia, EV Zug from Switzerland, Jokerit Helsinki from Finland and Adler Mannheim and Hamburg Freezers from Germany as part of their preseason schedule.[64] The New York Rangers, playing four games in five days in four countries, had a record of 3–1–0 against the European teams. The NHL teams had an overall record of 6–1–0 against the European teams.
On March 24, 2017, the NHL announced the return of regular season games played outside North America in a new event called the NHL Global Series.[65] The Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators played two regular season games at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden on November 10 and 11, 2017. Unlike the previous regular-season series played in Europe by the NHL, these games were played a month into the regular season rather than the start of it.
On March 26, 2018, the NHL announced the 2018 slate of NHL Global Series games.[66] The New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers played their regular season opening game in Sweden on October 6, preceded by two exhibition games against European teams. The Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets then played two regular season games in Finland on November 1 and 2.
On March 21, 2019, the NHL announced the 2019 lineup of hockey games in Europe.[67][68] The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers played their regular season opening game in Prague on October 4, preceded by two exhibition games against European teams. The Blackhawks played Eisbären Berlin on September 29 in Berlin and the Flyers played Lausanne HC in Lausanne on September 30. The Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning then played two regular season games in Sweden on November 8 and 9.
On March 12, 2024, the NHL announced that the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars would contest four regular season games in Europe, with the Sabres and Devils opening the season on October 4–5 at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic and the Panthers and Stars playing at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland on November 1–2 as part of the 2024 NHL Global Series. In addition, the Sabres will play a preseason game on September 27 in Munich, Germany against EHC Red Bull München at their new arena, SAP Garden.[71]
1997 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim–Vancouver Canucks Japanese games
In 1997, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Vancouver Canucks played a two-game series in Japan to open the 1997–98 regular season. This marked the first time that games played by NHL teams outside of North America counted in the league standings. Each team won one game.
1998 Calgary Flames–San Jose Sharks Japanese games
In 1998, the Calgary Flames and the San Jose Sharks played a two-game series in Japan. The teams tied one game, and the Flames won the other. These games counted in the regular-season standings.
2000 Nashville Predators–Pittsburgh Penguins Japanese games
In 2000, the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins played a two-game series in Japan. Each team won one game. As with the previous season-opening series in Japan in 1997 and 1998, these games counted in the regular-season standings.
On March 29, 2017, the NHL announced that the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks would play two exhibition games in China in a new event called the NHL China Games.[72] Both teams faced each other in Shanghai, on September 21, 2017, and then in Beijing, on September 23. This was the first time NHL teams played in China.
On May 2, 2018, the NHL announced that the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames would play two exhibition games in China for the second consecutive year.[73] Both teams faced each other in Shenzhen on September 15, and then in Beijing on September 19.
On April 12, 2023, the NHL announced that the Los Angeles Kings and the Arizona Coyotes would contest two preseason games at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia on September 23–24, 2023, as part of the 2023 NHL Global Series Melbourne.[75]
^"NHL overseas history". NHL.com. November 3, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
^Hockey Teams Fly to Europe for Games", The Milwaukee Journal, April 27, 1959, page 2
^Merk, Martin. "Blick zurück: Rangers 1959" (in German). Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^"NHL-Revival in Berlin?" (in German). January 26, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^"NHL in Berlin mit Fankurve!" (in German). March 15, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^"This Day in Hockey History – April 29, 1959 – Exhibition Games and Experiments". April 29, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^"New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins 1959 Cinzano European Tour Poster". Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^Krein, Michael (May 18, 2017). "Auf Madame Potins Spuren" (in German). Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^Poster for the event: "Sportpaleis – Antwerpen. 6 mei, 7 mei, 8 mei 1959". RaySheppard (March 21, 2020). "Une petite photo pour le plaisir #92 - Bobby Hull avec les Rangers". La vie est une puck (in French). Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^"Die Stadionzeitschriften". Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^"New York Rangers vs CSKA Moscow, December 28th 1975". November 26, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
^Herman, Robin (December 30, 1975). "Russian Wings Beat Penguins, 7‐4". New York Times. p. 17. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
^"Montreal Canadiens vs CSKA Moscow, December 31st, 1975". November 26, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
^Ryndak, Chris (May 21, 2020). "Sabres Classics: Buffalo downs Soviet Wings in 1976 exhibition game". Retrieved October 10, 2022.
^"Chicago Blackhawks vs Soviet Wings, January 7th 1976". November 26, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
^"Boston Bruins vs CSKA Moscow, January 8th 1976". November 26, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
^"New York Islanders vs Soviet Wings, January 10th 1976". November 26, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
^"Philadelphia Flyers vs CSKA Moscow, January 11th 1976". November 26, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
^Herman, Robin (December 27, 1977). "Rangers Tie Czech Six, 4‐4, On Goal in Last 15 Seconds". New York Times. p. 65. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^"TODAY IN FLYERS HISTORY: December 26. Flyers Dominate Czech Team on Boxing Day: December 26, 1977". December 27, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^Di Lello, Ty (December 24, 2021). "Remembering Curt Ridley (1951-2021)". Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^Gilbert, John (December 29, 1977). "Czechs easily whip Stars". Star Tribune. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^Muzika, Rudolf (December 31, 2020). "Hokejové zajímavosti z 31. prosince: Slavná silvestrovská výhra v Chicagu" (in Czech). Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^Užák, Martin (January 2, 2018). "Retrospektíva: Detroit Red Wings vs Tesla Pardubice" (in Slovak). Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^Keese, Parton (January 5, 1978). "Islanders Drub Czech Team by 8‐3". New York Times. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^Paulus, Steve (December 27, 2020). "December 27 in NYR history: A lesson from the Red Army team". Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^Francis B. (December 30, 2009). "Canadiens - Red Army, December 31st 1979: the New Year's Eve rematch that closed a great decade". Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^ДмитРэйБред (July 25, 2011). "1980. Кубок Дагенс Нюхетер / Dagens Nyheter Cup" (in Russian). Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^"Defender Pat Ribble scored with 1:32 left in the..." United Press International. September 26, 1980. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^ДмитРэйБред (July 25, 2011). "1981. Кубок Дагенс Нюхетер / Dagens Nyheter Cup" (in Russian). Retrieved October 11, 2022.
^"Russians Set Back Stars, 6-3". New York Times. January 5, 1983. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
^"Russians beat Flyers in finale". New York Times. January 7, 1983. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
^Barnes, Mike (December 27, 1985). "The Soviet Red Army team, one of the best..." United Press International. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
^"Red Army Defeats Gretzky and Oilers at Edmonton, 6-3". Los Angeles Times. December 28, 1985. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
^Perley, Warren (December 31, 1985). "The Montreal Canadiens say the reason they lost 6-1..." United Press International. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
^Smith, Pohla (January 4, 1986). "Willy Lindstrom scored with 2:53 to play Saturday night..." United Press International. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
^"The Moscow Dynamo hockey team completed its four-game tour..." United Press International. January 9, 1986. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
^Čermák, Vítězslav (October 2, 2010). "Rok 1989: poprask kolem Calgary Flames v Československu" (in Czech). Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1989-1990. "Химик" Воскресенск - "Калгари Флеймз" - 2:4 (0:3, 1:1, 1:0)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^"Capitals 8, Spartak 7". United Press International. September 15, 1989. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1989-1990. "Спартак" Москва - "Вашингтон Кэпиталз" - 7:8 (3:2, 2:2, 2:3, 0:1)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1989-1990. "Сокол" Киев - "Калгари Флеймз" - 2:5 (0:2, 2:2, 0:1)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1989-1990. "Динамо" Москва - "Вашингтон Кэпиталз" - 7:2 (2:0, 4:2, 1:0)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1989-1990. "Крылья Советов" Москва - "Калгари Флеймз" - 2:3 (0:0, 1:2, 1:0, 0:1)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1989-1990. "Динамо" Рига - "Вашингтон Кэпиталз" - 1:2 (0:0, 0:0, 1:1, 0:1)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1989-1990. ЦСКА Москва - "Калгари Флеймз" - 2:1 (0:0, 1:0, 1:1)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1989-1990. СКА Ленинград - "Вашингтон Кэпиталз" - 4:5 (0:3, 1:1, 1:0)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^"NHL Challenge Epson-Cup 1990" (in German). Retrieved October 10, 2022.
^"NHL overseas history". February 19, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^ abZadarnowski, Andrew (December 22, 2020). "Montreal Canadiens' Eurotrip: Part 2 — Skål from Sweden". Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^ abZadarnowski, Andrew (December 24, 2020). "Montreal Canadiens' Eurotrip: Part 3 — Culture shock". Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1990-1991. СКА Ленинград и "Торпедо" Ярославль - "Монреаль Канадиенс" - 3:5 (0:1, 1:2, 2:2)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1990-1991. "Спартак" Москва - "Миннесота Норд Старз" - 8:5 (4:3, 0:2, 4:0)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1990-1991. "Динамо" Рига - "Монреаль Канадиенс" - 2:4 (1:1, 0:1, 1:2)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1990-1991. "Крылья Советов" Москва - "Миннесота Норд Старз" - 3:2 (1:2, 1:0, 0:0, 1:0)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1990-1991. "Динамо" Москва - "Монреаль Канадиенс" - 4:1 (1:0, 1:0, 2:1)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1990-1991. "Химик" Воскресенск - "Миннесота Норд Старз" - 2:3 (0:1, 0:1, 1:1)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1990-1991. ЦСКА Москва - "Монреаль Канадиенс" - 3:2 (1:1, 1:1, 0:0, 1:0)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^"СУПЕРСЕРИЯ - 1990-1991. "Сокол" Киев - "Миннесота Норд Старз" - 5:0 (1:0, 2:0, 2:0)" (in Russian). Retrieved October 19, 2022.
^"'Rīga 2000' hokejisti sīvā cīņā zaudē NHL zvaigznēm" (in Latvian). Delfi.lv. December 9, 2004. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
^"NHL Worldstars win in Russia" (in Swedish). Seattle Times. December 13, 2004. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
^Dick Thörn (December 17, 2004). "HV-förlust med 1-5 mot NHL Worldstars" (in Swedish). Svenska fans. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
^"Belfast Giants Select finalize roster for Bruins - 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere". Nhl.com. September 27, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
^"Jets' debut, seven overseas games highlight 2011-12 NHL pre-season schedule - NHL.com - News". NHL.com. October 6, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
^"Senators, Avalanche to play two games in Sweden". NHL.com. March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
^"NHL, NHLPA Announce 2018 NHL Global Series". NHL.com. March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
^"Flyers, Blackhawks, Sabres and Lightning to Europe in '19-20". USA Today. March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
^"Lightning to play in 2019 NHL Global Series games in Sweden". NHL.com. March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
^ abRosen, Dan (April 22, 2022). "Predators-Sharks, Avalanche-Blue Jackets to play in NHL Global Series". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
^"Red Wings, Wild, Senators, Maple Leafs to play in 2023 NHL Global Series". April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
^"2024 Global Series to feature Sabres, Devils, Panthers, Stars".
^"Kings, Canucks will play preseason games in China". NHL.com. March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
^"Bruins, Flames will play in 2018 O.R.G. NHL China Games". NHL.com. May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
^"Rangers in Puerto Rico for historic NHL game". September 22, 2006. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
^"Australia to host preseason games in 2023 NHL Global Series Melbourne". April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.