Chicago Blackhawks to open next season in Prague; close out preseason in Germany
Blackhawks fans who want to watch the team's 2019-20 season opener should start saving now and making sure their passports are up to date.
That's because the NHL announced Thursday the Hawks will square off at 2 p.m. Oct. 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers in Prague, Czech Republic.
If that's not enough, you can also watch the Hawks close out training game, then conclude their preseason schedule in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 29 against Eisbaren Berlin.
Tickets for both games go on sale Wednesday.
"It's nice to go and see some new places - go over to Europe and represent the NHL," said Patrick Kane. "Try and help grow the game a little bit. I know the Blackhawks are always a team that's involved with a lot of these big events. We take pride in that and looking forward to (heading) over there."
That goes double for Hawks rookie forward Dominik Kahun, who was born in the Czech Republic, raised in Germany and has German citizenship.
"It's unbelievable," said Kahun, who was part of Germany's 2018 silver-medal winning Olympic hockey team. "To have a chance to play in my home country with the Blackhawks, it's going to be special. … I (also) still have family in Czech. Both games going to be unbelievable for me."
David Kampf was also born in the Czech Republic and played for its junior team in the World Junior Championships.
The Hawks will be the road team against the Flyers, meaning they will still play 41 games at the United Center.
The last time they played overseas was in Helsinki, Finland in 2009 against the Florida Panthers.
Getting closer:
Drake Caggiula participated in morning skate Thursday, the first time he's practiced since suffering a concussion Feb. 27 at Anaheim. Caggiula was smashed into the boards by Ducks forward Rickard Rakell. Rakell received a five-minute major and was ejected.
"Originally the first couple days it felt really good," said Caggiula, who wouldn't comment on what he though of Rakell's hit. "As time went on I started to get more symptoms and stuff like that. They've just been very patient with it."
A dripping wet, exhausted Caggiula said he's still not in playing shape and also must clear concussion protocol before returning. He was skating on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane when he was injured, but coach Jeremy Colliton wouldn't commit to returning him to that role.
"He can play anywhere in the lineup as far as I'm concerned, so we'll see how it looks when he's ready," Colliton said.
Caggiula has 11 goals and 7 assists in 50 games (4 goals, 3 assists in 21 games with the Hawks).
Slap shots:
Erik Gustafsson recorded his 15th goal of the season during the Hawks' 3-1 loss to Philadelphia at the United Center on Thursday. Gustafsson is the first true Blackhawks defenseman to hit that number since Phil Housley in 2001-02. (Dustin Byfuglien also scored 15 or more goals three times, but he also played forward for the Hawks). ... Jonathan Toews has recorded a point in 19 of the last 24 games (13G, 18A). … John Hayden and Slater Koekkoek were the Hawks' healthy scratches vs. the Flyers.