“I think when we think [about] the success of the 4 Nations, where we had four teams in the tournament in Montreal and in Boston and the excitement of fans all around the world … I think it was the second largest watched sporting event in the history of Finland,” NHL Players’ Association executive director Marty Walsh said. “So now you’re taking that and multiplying that and getting more teams, more countries involved, more engaged.
“Having games somewhere in Europe is going to allow fans in Europe to not travel across the Atlantic Ocean to see games, (and) you’re going to have games in North America, somewhere in North America. It could be potentially incredible.”
Added NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman: “And we’re excited. I agree with what [Walsh] said.”
Selecting the host cities two years ahead will help with preparation and add to the excitement in the buildup to the first World Cup of Hockey since 2016 in Toronto.
“4 Nations, we didn’t have as much timing to plan it as we do for the World Cup, a very short period of time, and [you saw] the success there,” Walsh said. “Now you’re talking about we have a lot more time to do it. Working very closely together, people are excited, countries are excited, the players are excited, fans are excited, so it’s going to be incredible.”
NHL.com senior writer Amalie Benjamin contributed to this report
