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NHL Adds Cologne, Munich Games to 2027-28 Schedule

8/20/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

NHL Expands to Germany

The NHL announced the Edmonton Oilers will play two games in Cologne, Germany, during the 2027-28 season.
The NHL Players’ Association announced the Boston Bruins will play games in Munich, Germany, during the 2027-28 season.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the games are an important step to grow hockey in Germany.
Opponents for the four German games will be determined and announced during the 2026-27 regular season.

Summary

Sturm Leads Germany

Marco Sturm became the NHL’s first German-born head coach and former German national team coach.
Sturm guided Germany to a silver medal at the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
Forward JJ Peterka, a Munich native, has scored 20-plus goals in three of his four NHL seasons.
Peterka posted one goal and three assists for Germany at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

History

Historical Context

In 1997 Finland hosted several marquee ice-hockey events, including the Karjala Tournament (6–9 November) and the IIHF World Championships (26 April–14 May) where 36 nations competed and Canada claimed its 21st title. The successful Finnish venues demonstrated European appetite for elite hockey, paving the way for the NHL’s first regular-season games on European soil later that year in Helsinki.

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NHL Expands to Germany

The NHL announced the Edmonton Oilers will play two games in Cologne, Germany, during the 2027-28 season.
The NHL Players’ Association announced the Boston Bruins will play games in Munich, Germany, during the 2027-28 season.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the games are an important step to grow hockey in Germany.
Opponents for the four German games will be determined and announced during the 2026-27 regular season.

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