More European games being considered, says Bettman

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The National Hockey League is considering a dozen European cities as potential hosts for regular season games but may not send players to the 2014 Olympics in Russia, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

Bettman told Reuters that while European interest would probably lead to more NHL games staged overseas, the premier professional ice hockey league might rethink its policy of shutting down in mid-season so players can compete in the Olympics.

"Our experience in London was terrific," Bettman told Reuters on Tuesday about the NHL's season-opening games this year between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.

"There are rumors rampant that we might go to Prague or Stockholm next," Bettman said at the Reuters Media Summit. "We're looking at the options.

"I could envision at a point in time in the future to maybe go to a dozen different cities over time. There are lots of hockey markets with tremendously avid fans throughout Europe."

Bettman mentioned Moscow, St. Petersburg, Helsinki and various German cities among the possibilities.

While the door could be opening to more NHL action in Europe, Bettman said it might stop players competing in the 2014 Sochi Games given the stress of a mid-season interruption and diminishing impact of a Games far from North America.

"It is a strain. It is a strain on the players, on the schedule and on our fans here." Bettman said.  Continued...