bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Jonathan White

“I don’t think its a question of if, it’s more a question of when,” was NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s response to the possibility of a Chinese-born hockey player making a mark in North America.
Bettman was speaking at the Shenzhen Universiade Arena before Saturday’s NHL O.R.G. China Games preseason meeting between the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames.
“There are great athletes that are developing in all sports in China, particularly with the amazingly large population,” he said.
The commissioner stressed that the China Games and broadcast of NHL games on CCTV and Tencent was a part of growing the game, but the “most important thing we can do” is developing grassroots hockey programmes across the country.


“In addition to the games this year we look forward to a variety of initiatives away from the rink intended to entertain and educate generations of Chinese players and fans,” Bettman said.
These were on show outside the arena in Shenzhen as they will be in Beijing in the lead-up to Wednesday’s rematch at the Cadillac Arena.
The Stanley Cup has also been brought over, making its first appearance in China and Hong Kong during this visit.
NHL China Games: Hong Kong youngsters meet Brad Marchand after Boston Bruins star nets in Calgary Flames win in Shenzhen
“We are certain we can help grow the sport here in China,” Bettman said, with clinics and coaching programmes a part of what they have put in place to “increase ability and develop the knowledge of our game while learning the important life skills that hockey delivers”.
“You don’t introduce a new sport to a country overnight,”he said. “You have to do it over the long term and that’s what we’re committed to.”
The signs so far are positive: “I think it’s off to a great start.”
If anything the progress has been surprising.

It’s the climb.@Bmarch63 | @pastrnak96 #NHLChinaGames pic.twitter.com/TzDYA9jVmJ
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) 16 September 2018

“In the practise rink adjoining this building there has been a youth hockey tournament going on for the last few days and the number of young people and families that are knowledgeable about the game is surprising to me.
“That’s only something that’s going to increase as the number of ice surfaces increases.”
With Beijing hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics, the number of rinks is sure to increase but Bettman categorically denied there was any pressure from the NHL’s Chinese partners to allow the league’s players to play in the 2022 Games, saying the issue has not been brought up.
NHL China Games 2018: Boston Bruins battle Calgary Flames in Shenzhen as ice hockey tries to crack Chinese market
The commissioner stood firm on the decision to keep NHL players away from this year’s Games in Pyeongchang because of the disruption to the league season.
However, he did concede the NHL will consider staging regular season games in China in the future.
“I think that at some point we will get to the stage where we will be considering regular season games,” he said, with Chongqing a possible host city when the new stadium is completed.
“Although we haven’t had the full discussions we have to have internally and with the players, I think if it’s going to happen it will probably be at the beginning of the season so we can start things out and get the players back to play their schedule.”

Today's #NHLChinaGames adventure? A trip to the Great Wall! pic.twitter.com/nj6bR8ZsEg
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) 16 September 2018

Scheduling is the reason why the NHL’s forays into China have been preseason, starting last year with the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings in Shanghai and Beijing.
“It’s obviously easier to deal with the travel issues by scheduling in the preseason and giving the participating teams a little bit of a head start, which is what we’ve been able to do.”
There was demand from the teams to be a part of the China Games, he said.
“Our teams across the board are focused on playing games outside of North America, whether or not preseason or regular season.
Former porn star Mia Khalifa to undergo surgery after NHL hockey puck bursts her breast implant
“There is no shortage of clubs that are anxious to participate, in part because it’s a great bonding experience for the players and it’s a terrific overall experience for the players.”
It’s something that has pleased the NHL’s partners, too.
“Based on all the feedback we’ve gotten and the meetings I’ve had over the past two days with our partners, they’re thrilled with what they’re seeing.
“We are already talking about what the future holds,” he said. “More and more and more of everything.”
Larry Kwong, NHL trailblazer and Asian pioneer who battled racism, dies in Canada at 94


Winter Olympics 2026 guide: All you need to know about the Milano Cortina Games

Hockey Canada sex assault trial: all 5 players not guilty in case that shook nation

Simon Wang goes 33rd overall to Sharks, making history as highest-drafted player born in China

Wang Haoxi left China and family behind to chase his ice hockey dream in Canada – at age 12

NHL (National Hockey League)

NHL China Games: ‘when not if’ for a Chinese hockey star, says commissioner Gary Bettman as sport continues to develop

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman at a press conference before the NHL China Games match between the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames in Shenzhen. Photo: AP

Sport

China

League will consider regular season games in China as Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames head to Beijing for final preseason match-up


Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

NHL China Games: ‘when not if’ for a Chinese hockey star, says commissioner Gary Bettman as sport continues to develop

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}League will consider regular season games in China as Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames head to Beijing for final preseason match-up

League will consider regular season games in China as Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames head to Beijing for final preseason match-up