*note: please do not fill this thread with requests, insults, or telling us how we should do things. This is a concept series and the politics of the game are irrelevant. Don’t go on a rant about laws and what “they” would do. In this series, we are “they” and we’ve been preparing this series for a long time. That being said, sit back and enjoy the show.*
The year was 2018. The Detroit Red Wings, despite a long run, had fallen in five games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The NHL’s Centennial Year had been a glorious success. The Leafs and Red Wings broke the Winter Classic attendance record, and the Blackhawks set a franchise record against the Blues. Gary Bettman retired from being commissioner of the NHL, much to the delight of a number of people. The new leader was Englishman George McIntyre, a wealthy man who believed that he could translate the success of soccer on an international stage to hockey. Intrigued, the league gave him a chance, starting in 2019.
His first act of business was to allow players to represent their country as freely as they wanted. It meant World Championships and no more disputes about whether NHL players should be let into the Olympics. He convinced the Olympic Committee and it was proven at the 2018 Games, where Canada lifted their third gold medal with a 3-1 win over the Czech, accompanied by record-breaking ticket sales.
In the midst of all the little things, which also included negotiating TV contracts with foreign countries, one brilliant but farfetched idea shone through. The Champions League of Hockey. It had been an idea discussed many years in the making, but no further steps were made beyond rough planning. McIntyre noticed the wild popularity of hockey in North America and Europe and compared it to the thundering audience at a particular Arsenal-Roma Champions League match. By combining the soccer tournament and the game of hockey, his brainchild became a reality.
In 2020, he presented it to his most trusted advisors, and then to the board, and even further to coaches. By mid-spring, all thirty-two NHL teams, including Las Vegas and Quebec City, were on board. George, armed with the signatures of the league, flew to Moscow, then Stockholm, Helsinki, Prague, and even London. When September rolled around, twelve different countries and leagues had agreed to send their best to the Champions League. Planning ahead, McIntyre had set up contracts with TV suppliers, arenas, and merchandise. When the green light was shown, the different industries were already prepared.
The game had changed when George became the leader. International games were more competitive, as Russian teams and other European clubs became wealthier. None could quite compare to the NHL for money, but talent was a whole other story.
The first tournament was set for 2021. Beginning on June 25, twenty-four teams would make the trip to the United States. Twelve cities were selected, spread out around the country. From the twenty-four teams, they were split up into six groups of four, based on performance. Each would play one another once, like the World Cup. After that, the top sixteen teams would be dropped into a Round of 16, where every team would have a best of three against their opponent. Same with the quarters, semis, and eventually the championship, in Washington DC.
I got help from three of the better design buddies. Bradley deBode, Daniel Lowry, and Jay Schreyer. They all willingly pitched in and designed a couple of the teams for me. You’ll notice their logo in the top right corner. Big shoutout to those guys. They will be mentioned in every team they design. We will be releasing the groups one at a time. A first, then B, and so on. The standings and schedules will accompany that and the four team uniform sets as well. We will be putting out one team a day and should go through a group or two in a week. After those are done, we will be putting out the results from Game 1, and then Game 2, and finally Game 3 (if needed) of the Round of Sixteen. One a day. Then the quarters, semis, and the championship. It’s going to be a long series, so sit tight. I read every comment, so don’t think you are being ignored. I won’t be doing updates as much, but if an overhaul is needed, then I’ll revisit that team.
This series has been in development for about a month and a half now, with mostly backstories. Everything is completed and ready to post. My last thread, Hockey Fixups, was to get a feel of the template and such. I apologize for not doing the requests, and I'll probably get back to that thread at some point.
GROUP A
1. Montreal (CAN)
2. Sibir (RUS)
3. Amur (RUS)
4. Rapperswil (SUI)
GROUP B
1. Anaheim Ducks (USA)
4. TPS Turku (FIN)
3. Dinamo Minsk (BLR)
2. Frolunda (SWE)
GROUP C
4. Djurgarden Hockey (SWE)
3. Edmonton Oilers (CAN)
2. Lukko (FIN)
1. Graz 99ers (AUT)
GROUP D
3. MsHK (SVK)
2. Eisbaren Berlin (GER)
1. New York Rangers (USA)
4. Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)
GROUP E
Edinburgh Capitals (UK)
Dynamo Moscow (RUS)
Kolner Haie (GER)
Sparta Praha (CZE)
GROUP F
Nippon (JPN)
Ocelari Trinec (CZE)
HC Davos (SWI)
Jokerit (FIN)