NHL China Games 2018: Boston Bruins battle Calgary Flames in Shenzhen as ice hockey tries to crack Chinese market

Two of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) most decorated teams will square off in Shenzhen, China, this year in a bid to steer the country into becoming a breeding ground for future ice hockey stars – and the upper brass are extremely confident this time around.

Six-time Stanley Cup champions Boston Bruins and 1989-edition winners Calgary Flames begin their preseason at the 2018 China Games in Shenzhen’s Universiade Centre on September 15 and 19, in what will be the NHL’s first venture in the south-eastern commercial city.

The league first dropped its Chinese puck in the 2017 Games, which saw Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks attempt to ignite locals’ interest in Beijing and Shanghai.

“We were here for the press conference last year – the crowd is so much greater [this time] so you can see that we’re making strides,” said NHL executive vice-president and chief content officer, Steve Mayer, at the official press conference on Monday.

“It’s important for us to move around because the interest for us is to expose the game to as many people as possible – [Shenzhen] is such a progressive city with so many people.”