NAGANO, Japan (Feb. 19, 1998) - Following the successful debut of NHL regular season hockey in Tokyo last October and NHL players competing in Nagano at the Olympic Winter Games, the National Hockey League announced today that it will return to Japan to open the 1998-99 regular season. The Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks will open their schedule with two games at Tokyo's Yoyogi Arena in GAME ONe Japan on October 10 and 11.
The visit of the Flames and Sharks will mark the second consecutive season that NHL clubs have traveled to Japan to open the regular season. In October, 1997, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Vancouver Canucks became the first NHL clubs to play regular season contests outside North America in the League's 80-year history, when they split a two-game series at Yoyogi Arena in Tokyo.
As part of the festivities, the NHL will again conduct a series of interactive events and exhibits at HockeyFest, providing fans the opportunity to participate in and learn more about hockey. HockeyFest will be held at Yoyogi Arena Plaza, located adjacent to the arena.
"The enthusiasm for NHL hockey and NHL players in Japan has been phenomenal, both in Tokyo for GAME ONe Japan last October and for the Olympic Winter Games here in Nagano," said Commissioner Gary Bettman. "I look forward to joining the Flames and Sharks in Tokyo next October as we continue to bring our game to more and more people throughout the Pacific Rim."
"The Anaheim and Vancouver players thoroughly enjoyed their experience playing in front of the enthusiastic Japanese hockey fans," said NHLPA Executive Director Robert W. Goodenow. "I am certain that it will be even better for the Calgary and San Jose players, as they open their 1998-99 season, and the popularity of our sport here continues to grow."
Yoyogi Arena, with a seating capacity of 10,000, will again host the GAME ONe Japan two-game series. Located near the Harajuku and Shibuya sections of Tokyo, the arena is used in January and February for Japan Ice Hockey League games and general area hockey. Yoyogi was the site of the swimming and diving competition in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
GAME ONe Japan is a cooperative venture among the National Hockey League, the NHL Players' Association and Dentsu Sports Marketing.
The Flames-Sharks match-up brings together an intriguing pair of head coaches, the Sutter brothers--Darryl (San Jose) and Brian (Calgary). Darryl and Brian Sutter are the oldest of six brothers (a League record) who played in the NHL, later joined by Duane, Brent and twins Rich and Ron. Darryl Sutter and Brian Sutter are currently in their first season behind the bench of their respective clubs. Darryl Sutter began his professional career playing in Japan in 1978.
The Flames are playing in their 26th NHL season and their 18th in Calgary, having relocated from Atlanta in 1980-81. One of the NHL's dominant teams in the 1980's, the club captured its first Stanley Cup championship in 1989, defeating the Montreal Canadiens in a hard-fought six-game series. The club plays its games at the Canadian Airlines Saddledome, the venue used for the ice hockey and figure skating competitions at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary.
The Flames are led by Team Canada forward Theoren Fleury, in his 10th year with the club. Fleury currently leads the Flames in scoring with 56 points (18-38-56) in 57 games. Fleury is one of five Flames players who have been participating in the Olympics in Nagano, joining Russian forwards German Titov and Valeri Bure and Team Sweden members Michael Nylander and Tommy Albelin. A host of promising young players on Calgary's roster is led by 1995 first round draft choice Jarome Iginla, a power forward who finished as a runner-up for the Calder Trophy as the League's top rookie in 1996-97.
The Sharks joined the NHL as the League's 22nd team in 1991-92, with their trademark teal-colored uniforms and dynamic logo quickly turning into one of the North America's hottest sellers. After playing their first two seasons at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, the Sharks moved into the new San Jose Arena in 1993-94. The Sharks made an immediate impact in their new home, qualifying for the playoffs in just their third NHL season in 1993-94 and posting one of the biggest upsets in postseason history by eliminating the first-place Detroit Red Wings in opening round play.
Like the Flames, the Sharks boast a number of talented young players, including the team's leading scorer Jeff Friesen. A 21-year-old native of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Friesen has recorded 40 points (20-20-40) in 53 games this season. Center Patrick Marleau, still only 18, was the second player selected overall in last year's draft, and has played impressively to date. There are outstanding prospects on the Sharks blueline as well, led by Andrei Zyuzin, 20, of Russia, the second pick overall in the 1996 draft, and Marcus Ragnarsson, 26, a member of Team Sweden in Nagano.
The Flames and Sharks were both innovators in bringing international players to the NHL. The Flames were the first NHL club to sign a Soviet player with the permission of the Soviet Ice Hockey Federation, Sergei Priakin, in 1989. The club later signed legendary Soviet winger Sergei Makarov for the 1989-90 season. Makarov also played for the Sharks. Their roster is highlighted by players from Finland, Sweden, Russia, Germany, the United States and Canada. Each club is a remarkable reflection of the NHL's diversity.