Statement From Team President John McDonough On "NHL Premiere 2009"

Chicago Blackhawks Team President John McDonough released the following statement after the Blackhawks were selected as one of four teams to participate in “NHL Premiere 2009,” which launches the 2009-10 regular season:

"The Blackhawks organization is proud to have been invited by the National Hockey League to open the 2009-10 regular season in Finland. The games in Helsinki mark the franchise's first trip to Europe since playing in London 17 years ago, so we are extremely flattered to be a part of the Premiere games next season. This experience will enable us to continue to build our Blackhawks brand and expose our exciting young team to an International audience."

The Blackhawks and Florida Panthers will play home-and-home games at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, on Fri., Oct. 2 and Sat., Oct. 3, to help kick off the 2009-10 NHL regular season. On those same dates, the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues will play a home-and-home series at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.