Plenty at stake in China Games

Canucks, Kings anxious to prevail in historic clashes in Shanghai, Beijing

Five bone-jarring games in eight nights - in three countries, on two continents.

That's the schedule for the Vancouver Canucks from Sept 16-23.

For the Los Angeles Kings, it's only slightly better: four games in the same time frame, likewise spread across Canada, the United States ... and China.

Throw in media interviews, personal appearances and flights totaling around 30 hours, and you get a good idea of why National Hockey League players are fabled for coping with the most grueling schedule in global sports.

And even though these are preseason games, the physicality won't be dialed down. Look for plenty of hits ... maybe even a fight or two.

"We're bringing our main roster because there's a lot on the line in terms of making history, and we know it won't be easy," Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said, in a telephone interview, of leading his team into the NHL's first China Games, against the Kings on Sept 21 at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai and two nights later at Wukesong Arena in Beijing.

"We have a long rivalry with Los Angeles, and both teams are going to want to show their best. We're really excited about having the honor of being the first teams to play over there."

Before that happens, the Canucks will make a little more history on Sept 17 by hosting the Vegas Golden Knights in the debut game for the NHL's newest franchise.

"I think putting an expansion team in Las Vegas was a great idea, and they drafted a lot of quality players," said the 36-year-old Sedin, a stylish center who won gold for Sweden at the 2006 Olympics and was voted NHL MVP in 2010.

"It's pretty cool that we're the first team to play Vegas and one of the first to go to China. I've never been there before, so it's going to be great. We'll enjoy the games, but the best part will be experiencing a new culture."

Kings winger Tanner Pearson agreed with Sedin that the China Games "won't be your typical exhibition" - adding that he too is stoked about making history.

"I've always wanted to visit China so I'm really excited about this opportunity," Pearson said.

"My dad is making the trip, too. We're both curious about how hockey is growing in Asia, and hopefully we'll have time to talk to some of the fans and players who are giving the game such a big boost over there."

Pearson, who won the Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2014 and recently signed a four-year contract extension worth $15 million, said he expects the China Games to mirror the intensity of the NHL's regular season.

"Nobody wants to go home a loser," said the 25-year-old Canadian. "It's a long trip for two games, and there's a lot of pride at stake for both teams. What happens in China could set the tone for how we play each other all season."

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who visited Beijing in late March to announce ORG Packaging as primary sponsor of the games, said the league is committed to growing hockey throughout China.

"We're very focused on developing the Chinese market, in part because we have been told by the Chinese government at very high levels that, leading up to the 2022 Olympics, there is a priority to develop winter sports, particularly hockey. I was personally told by the Minister of Sport that they would like to see 300 million more participants in winter sports," said Bettman.

"We will work very closely with the Chinese government to try to help achieve that goal, and they said they will help us grow the business of the game at all levels. So it looks like the start of a very good partnership."

murraygreig@chinadaily.com.cn