New York’s big stage leaving its mark

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This article was published 06/03/2018 (2832 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — It has been dubbed “the world’s most famous arena” and sits in the heart of the city that never sleeps.

So don’t believe that Tuesday night’s game at Madison Square Garden (MSG) was the same as any other on the calendar for members of the Winnipeg Jets.

“It’s one of the best venues across all of sports. It’s a pretty special place, for sure,” rookie Kyle Connor told the Free Press following the morning skate. This was officially his second NHL game in MSG, as he got in one last season with the Jets. He also played a college game there.

Fellow rookie Jack Roslovic was experiencing both the arena and the city for the first time as a pro. He admitted to being a bit wide-eyed as he took to the ice Tuesday morning to get ready for the tilt with the Rangers.

“It’s pretty cool to be in here. There’s lots of history here obviously,” Roslovic said. “It’s one of those rinks that you take a second glance at. When you go to a new rink, a new atmosphere, you’ve got to kind of adapt to it a little bit. It’s going to be loud, and it’s going to be fun.”

“The Garden” opened in 1968, making it the oldest rink in the NHL. As part of the complex that hosts Penn Station (railroad station), it’s also the busiest by far. Both the Rangers and the NBA’s New York Knicks call it home, along with a concert and events calender that really has no rival in North America.

For example, on Monday night there was a women’s pro tennis event featuring Venus and Serena Williams. Tonight it will host a college basketball game. There are daily tours through the complex, including one at the same time the Jets were skating Tuesday morning that brought fans up close to the action.

The facility recently was given a US$1-billion makeover, which included a new scoreboard, new suites and food venues and renovated concourses.

It’s not just the fresh faces on the Jets who were soaking up the moment. Even the grizzled veterans on the team, who have played here countless times before, say trips to the Big Apple never get old.

“It really feels like a big stage,” said centre Matt Hendricks, who saw the venue plenty while a member of the division-rival Washington Capitals. “You grow up as kid and watch the national televised games. Even in Minnesota, you’re watching games from MSG. It’s a lot of fun any time you get to come here and play. It’s just being in the city, coming to the rink, looking at the buildings. We’re fortunate to have this atmosphere and this platform to play in for sure.”

Defenceman Tyler Myers began his career upstate with the Buffalo Sabres and said this is always a trip to look forward to.

“Guys always make comments about how excited we are to play in the Garden. A lot of history here, obviously. I don’t think it matters how many times you’ve played here, it’s always pretty cool,” Myers said. “It’s a very unique city. A lot of fun.”

Finnish trip confirmed

Speaking of big platforms and cool cities to play in, the NHL confirmed Tuesday that Winnipeg will take on the Florida Panthers in a pair of regular-season games on Thursday, Nov. 1 and Friday, Nov. 2 in Helsinki.

Both games are set for 8 p.m. local time (1 p.m. CST).

The 2018 NHL Global Series will put a major spotlight on the Jets and Panthers. Patrik Laine hails from Tampere, about a two-hour drive from Helsinki, while fellow Jet teammate Joel Armia is from Pori, a little over three hours northwest of Helsinki.

“It’s a special road trip,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said Tuesday. “A lot of team bonding, a lot of time together, especially early in the year you look to do that.”

Florida forward Aleksander Barkov is also from Tampere.

The NHL also announced the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils will play their 2018-19 season-opening game in Sweden on Oct. 6.

The Devils and Oilers will complete their training camps in Europe — the Devils in Switzerland, and the Oilers in Germany — and each will play an exhibition game against a European squad.

“It’ll be nice for these guys to see where me and (Armia) the other Finnish guys are coming from. I love Finland. It’s a beautiful country. I think it’s going to be an awesome experience for everybody in this room,” Laine said.

Maurice said it’s an important responsibility to help grow the game on a global scale.

“We do have the best players in the world in the NHL. But the passion for the game of the fans is huge.

“So it’s great that they get to go over and see the people of their countries, the young men, the stars who play overseas. To see them on home turf, I think is really important and exciting for the fans. So I think it’s great that we do it,” Maurice said.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @mikemcintyrewpg