The NHL wants to hold the World Cup in Prague as well, the hockey association is resisting
Updates: 13.05.2022 17:01
Released: 13.05.2022, 17:01
Prague – The NHL leadership would like to hold one group of the Hockey World Cup in February 2024 in Prague. The Czech Ice Hockey Association, however, according to iDNES.cz server I do not agree, because in the same year the Czech Republic is to host the World Cup in May.
“It would certainly not be economical for us to have x matches with NHL players a few months before the championship. The Czech market is not rich enough to pay people so much money for expensive tickets for both events. That is the main problem,” said Secretary General Martin. Urban server iDNES.cz.
“That’s why the executive committee asked me to write an official letter to the IIHF that the union did not agree to hold the tournament in Prague in 2024. Respectively, in general, not to be in the country hosting the World Cup that year,” Urban said.
The server information was also confirmed by Petr Bříza, vice-president of the IIHF international federation, to which the Czech union turned. “We are in intensive contact with the NHL and the NHLPA and are negotiating,” Bříza said.
“I don’t mean that the NHL can do what it wants, but we wouldn’t organize it. They’ll come up with something, set the conditions, and ask, ‘Do you, don’t you?’ said Urban.
The World Cup was produced after eight years, the last time it was played in 2016 in Toronto. In 2004, it took place in six countries, including the Czech Republic, when Prague hosted a domestic selection match with Germany.