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The NHL has begun brainstorming po sible neutral site locations to finish the 2019-20 season and Stanley Cup playoffs. It's been more than a month since the league went on pausedue to the COVID-19 pandemic.On April 5, that Nick Foles Jersey North Dakota was discu sed as a po sible neutral site location. Another site that's been to sed around is Manchester, N.H., according to reporter John Shannon.In addition to North Dakota, as reported over the weekend, also hearing Manchester, NH as a potential site for NHL games...IF, and its a big IF...If the NHL was to resume the schedule over the summer. John Shannon (@JShannonhl) SNHU Arena could be a likely venue to stage NHL games should the season resume.On April 17, Jordan Howard Jersey Gov.Chris Sununu that hehas talked to NHL commi sioner Gary Bettman."There is truth to that," . "I have had discu sions about that. I dont know whetherits going to happen, but we are talking Mack Hollins Jersey about it. Thats all I can really say right now."I can tell you it would be a very interesting opportunity for New Hampshire, but even the venues would have to say, Yes, we want this because we have to make sure where the liabilities are here, what if a team were to get sick, how is it going to be managed? So were working on some of those logistics. But thats on the table, for sure."MORE: Why New Hampshire?As of April 1, 2019, New Hampshire hasa according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Manchester is the Jake Elliott Jersey highest populated city in the state andis the only city in New Hampshire with over 100,000 residents.New Hampshire ranks 42nd in population among the 50 states. , as of April Rasul Douglas Jersey 6, the state has 669 coronavirus cases with 49 cases per 100,000 residents. The number of COVID-19 cases is the 11th-lowest state total in the United States.What is the potential venue?SNHU Arena would be the likely venue of choice should the NHL schedule games in Manchester. The arena capacity for hockey is 10,019 and served as the home of the now-defunct Manchester Monarchs, who played in the American Hockey League (2001-15) and the ECHL (2015-19),and a few Boston Bruins preseason games.Opened in 2001, the arena has also hosted the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament as a regional siteeight times, most recently in 2019. They are slated to host a regional again Nelson Agholor Jersey in 2021.Reaction to the newsWhen the original news was reported,thesaida source close to SNHU Arena shut down rumors of the NHL staging games there."Zero conversations with anyone," the source told the paper. "Never heard of it before you called. Not happening here, makes zero sense."On a call with reporters, the Canucks' Tanner Pearson, who played the better part of two seasons in Manchester Mike Quick Jersey when they were the Kings' affiliate, was asked about the po sibility of Herman Edwards Jersey playing games in his old rink.Asked Tanner Pearson last week on a call with reporters about playing in Manchester and he said with a big smile, "Ya, Manchvegas, huh? ... It's definitely a nice facility. You know it's a big one. Itd definitely bring back a lot of, you know, memories but it'd be a good spot." Jackie Spiegel (@jackiespiegel93) |
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