by Andy McInnes, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine

THAMES, NZ. — This weekend as the attention of the hockey world focuses on the American Airlines Center in Dallas and the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, hockey fans in New Zealand (yes, I can confirm that they do exist) will also be looking forward to something a little bit different.

In a country where the passion is rugby union and their national team the All Blacks, we are going to be treated to a three-game series of the North American hockey rivalry that is Canada versus USA. A smattering of NHL, AHL, and European-based players will be hitting these shores this week as they come together representing their countries in a southern hemisphere clash known as the 2018 Ice Hockey Classic.

The games will take place in New Zealand’s largest city Auckland, the Capital Wellington, and the simply stunning Queenstown. The game in Wellington is an outdoor game being played at Westpac Stadium, known locally as the Cake Tin. Current weather predictions are for a bright, sunny day with a maximum temperature of 12 degrees Celsius. While we are on the verge of winter down here, that’s a pretty nice day for hockey.

Nolan Yonkman, once of the Washington Capitals will captain Canada, whilst the USA will be led by Zenon Konopka, the former Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders player. The Montreal Canadiens will be represented by Byron Froese. Current New York Ranger and former Hab Peter Holland will also be featured. Other players with NHL experience who will appear include Tim Stapleton, Karl Tollery, and netminders Richard Bachman and Chris Driedger.

It’s going to be an exciting series for us New Zealand-based hockey fans as we get the opportunity to watch players who have played at the highest level. For me, I cannot wait to watch a player who is currently with the Montreal Canadiens, a player who has played, trained and mixed with the likes of Carey Price, Brendan Gallagher and Jonathan Drouin. I wonder what he’ll think of our little country at the bottom of the world?

Prior to the main event, the two Auckland teams Botany Swarm and West Auckland Admirals will face off. They play in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League. There are only five teams in total. It’s fantastic going to watch the games, it’s rough, raw and exciting hockey. The Ice Hockey Classic is going to take it up several notches for us Kiwi diehards. 

As well as promoting the game of hockey, the Ice Hockey Classic is also raising awareness and funds for the StopConcussions Foundation in association with Shoot for a Cure and Brain Injury Australia. Stop Concussions was founded by Kerry Goulet, a former player who plied his trade in Europe, and NHL stars Keith and Wayne Primeau.

The not-for-profit organisation supports neurotrauma awareness and provides an education platform for this very common but serious sporting injury. The goal is to make people more aware of the injury and to help make individuals safer in their chosen sport. I read a book written by Ken Dryden titled Game Change. It gave me a very good insight to the issues of concussions. If you get the opportunity to have a read you should do so. It’s very sad yet very interesting. I for one am backing the Ice Hockey Classic not just for the game of hockey, but just as much for the reasons behind the concept.

So this weekend I’m not sure what I’m more excited about……seeing who the Montreal Canadiens pick at number three, or having the opportunity to see a current Montreal Canadien in action. It’s certainly going to be a fascinating one.

One final thing, it’s always good to have a team to cheer on. Will it be Canada or USA for you?

Check back with All Habs Hockey Magazine for my game report and interviews with select players.