Mystery, Puerto Rico
By George Richards
Miami Herald
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A few years ago, the New York Rangers traveled to a remote town in Alaska to play a pond hockey game against some locals.
Of course, Mystery, Alaska, was just a movie. In the real world, NHL teams don’t play exhibitions in Alaska.
Puerto Rico? That’s a different story.
Tonight, the Florida Panthers play the New York Rangers, who will be the host team, in the first pro hockey game played south of Miami Arena when the two meet in San Juan.
“It’s crazy,� Panthers defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski said. “Everyone I tell about this trip just shakes their head. They
can’t believe we’re playing in Puerto Rico. I think this is great for the game. If there’s hockey in Florida, why not Puerto Rico and the Caribbean? "
The game will be televised in New York and in San Juan, but local interest is said to be tepid at best. There is very little buzz about the game on the island, although the Rangers — who set up the game — are trying to drum up
interest. The team has been on the island since Thursday, practicing in San Juan’s 2-year-old arena while visiting hospitals and sightseeing. The team also arranged to have the game called on Spanish radio.