It’s been a busy couple of weeks in Smashville, with the Preds sweeping the Sharks at the 2022 NHL Global Series in Prague and returning to kick off their 2022-23 home slate at Bridgestone Arena.
In case you missed any of the action, here’s the latest:
Preds Feel the Bern
Mr. Bern’s Homecoming
Roman Jose returned to his hometown of Bern, Switzerland, on Oct. 3 as the Predators faced SC Bern in the 2022 Global Series Challenge at PostFinance Arena, earning a 4-3 win. Josi, a product of the SC Bern youth hockey system and a defenseman for the club from 2006-10, scored twice in the game and was named the first star, accompanied by a standing ovation from the hometown crowd.
Watching the Preds captain greet his public in Bern was like being in the presence of royalty – which he practically is in his hometown. He was greeted by a former president of Switzerland, cheers and chants from the fans, attention from the media and more.
“It was perfect,” Josi said following the win. “It was just so special for me and something I’ll never forget.”
Bordeleau’s Big Night
Josi wasn’t the only one who experienced a homecoming in Bern. Former Predators center and current skills coach Sebastien Bordeleau played for SC Bern for seven seasons from 2002-09 and won a Swiss National League Championship with the club in 2004. Bordeleau received thunderous applause from the crowd at PostFinance Arena as he walked out for the ceremonial. puck drop between his two former teams.
“It was a great experience,” Bordeleau said. “I was very happy that the guys in North America got to experience hockey here in Switzerland, especially in Bern. It’s a very, very unique arena. It’s very different – most of the rinks now in Switzerland are brand new. But Bern keeps its originality… It’s always nice to be back.”
Hospital Visit in Bern
Josi and fellow Swiss star Nino Niederreiter found time between a Predators workout at PostFinance Arena and the team flight to Prague to visit Lindenhofspital, where Josi was born and Niederreiter’s mother once worked. They visited dozens of kids, including patients and the children of hospital workers, and gifted them with Predators and SC Bern giveaways.
“This is where I grew up,” Josi said. “So it was important for us to give back and be a part of the community in a short time.”
Niederreiter grew up in Chur, about 135 miles east of Bern, but the hospital visit held special meaning for him, too. At 8 years old, he was hit by a car and spent significant time in the hospital, where he underwent four surgeries on his ear.
“You’ve got to give back,” Niederreiter said. “There are so many kids in the hospital who probably wish they could have been a part of this [event]. But they’re in a different situation, and we’re fortunate to be in the place we’re in, so I always enjoy going to the hospitals and giving back that way.”
Perfect in Prague
Nashville opened the 2022-23 regular season with back-to-back victories against the San Jose Sharks at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic as part of the 2022 NHL Global Series.
Newcomers dominated the scoresheets in Nashville’s first two games in Prague; Nino Niederreiter, who signed as a free agent with Nashville in July, scored three goals in two games against San Jose, including twice in last Saturday’s win.
Kiefer Sherwood, who also signed with Nashville as a free agent this offseason, had two points (1g-1a) in his Predators debut on Friday vs. San Jose.
Ryan McDonagh also recorded two points (2a) in his first two games with Nashville, including an assist on Sherwood’s goal. In doing so, he became the fifth defenseman in Predators history to record at least a point in each of his first two games with the franchise.
Roster Takes Shape
After going 2-0-0 to open the regular season, the Predators still had some tough decisions to make.
The Preds brought an expanded roster of 27 players to Europe, but President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Monday following their return that the team assigned six players to Milwaukee (AHL). With goaltender Connor Ingram being claimed on waivers by Arizona, Nashville’s NHL roster was down to the maximum 23 players ahead of Thursday’s home opener vs. Dallas at Bridgestone Arena.
Home Opener in Smashville
Hockey returned to Smashville on Thursday and while the excitement level was high, the Preds left disappointed after dropping their home opener to Dallas, 4-1, at Bridgestone Arena.
The Preds won’t have to wait long for a rematch against their division rivals, though, as they travel to Dallas to face the Stars Saturday at 7 pm CT at the American Airlines Center.
Upcoming Bridgestone Arena Events
Hockey is back at Bridgestone Arena, but other exciting events are also happening at the home of the Preds.
Coming soon:
Oct. 14: Jason Aldean. Click here for tickets.
Oct. 16: Post Malone. Click here for tickets.
Oct. 17: Nashville Predators vs. LA Kings. Click here for tickets.
Oct. 21: REBA: Live in Concert. Click here for tickets.
Oct. 22: Nashville Predators vs. Philadelphia Flyers. Click here for tickets.
Oct. 23: Lizzo. Click here for tickets.
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