Chicago Blackhawks To Start 2009-10 Season In European Tournament

The Chicago Blackhawks are still in the running for the Stanley Cup, but their plans to start next season are already being made.

On Sunday the NHL, NHLPA, and IIHF announced that the team will be the North American representative in the second-annual Victoria Cup, to be played on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, in Zurich against the ZSC Lions.

The Lions won the inaugural Champions Hockey League title in January, becoming the European club representative.

"The Chicago Blackhawks are a team with a rich history, a vibrant present, and a bright future," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.

"They are outstanding representatives of our League, and an ideal choice for participation in this event."

Bettman also acknowledged that this would be the fourth-consecutive decade that the Blackhawks have faced international competition.

The New York Rangers won the inaugural Victoria Cup last year, defeating a Russian team.

The Blackhawks were picked primarily due to their increase in attendance over the past three seasons.

The team established an NHL club record this season by attracting an average of 21,783 to their 40 home dates at United Center.

These figures do not include 40,818 who filled Wrigley Field for the Winter Classic vs. Detroit on January 1.

According to nhl.com, This makes Chicago not only the best-drawing hockey club in North America, but also in the world.

"We are extremely pleased to accept the NHL’s selection of the Chicago Blackhawks as the challenger for the second edition of the Victoria Cup," IIHF President René Fasel said.

"Chicago has always maintained strong and committed support among European hockey fans."

In a statement, that will raise the eyebrows of fans of teams still in contention for the Stanley Cup, NHL Senior Vice-President of NHL International Ken Yaffe added, "We hope the Victoria Cup continues to be an annual event which sees the best of the NHL play the best club team in Europe."

The Blackhawks will also play an exhibition game the night before the Victoria Cup against a yet-to-be-named Swiss team.

They will begin the 2009-10 NHL regular season in Finland, playing October 3 and 4 against the Florida Panthers.