NHL (preseason) hockey is returning to the KC area: Here’s who’s playing, when & where
For the third straight year, NHL action is coming back to the Kansas City area — Independence, to be specific.
The St. Louis Blues will play a preseason exhibition game against the Dallas Stars at Cable Dahmer Arena, home of the ECHL Kansas City Mavericks, it was announced Monday. The contest is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, in Independence.
“We could not be more excited to have the St. Louis Blues return to Cable Dahmer Arena this fall for the third year in a row,” Mavericks owner Lamar Hunt Jr. said in a press release. “We are always eager to continue to showcase the great hockey fan base that exists in Kansas City.”
The Blues played the Stars last Oct. 1 at Cable Dahmer Arena, losing 5-2 before 5,800 fans as Dallas received goals from five different players.
The Blues also faced the Chicago Blackhawks in Independence on Oct. 2, 2021, losing 5-1 before the same attendance.
The Blues and Stars have played in games dating back to right around 1967, when both entered the NHL as expansion teams; Dallas was the Minnesota North Stars at the time.
According to HockeyFights.com, the teams have fought each other a whopping 88 times, Dallas’ most against any opponent. Dallas also leads the all-time series 142-111.
The Blues, winner of their first Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season, went 37-38 in the 2022-23 season, finishing sixth in the Central division and missing the playoffs.
Ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft on Wednesday, they are reportedly in talks to acquire center Kevin Hayes from the Philadelphia Flyers and also own the No. 10 overall pick.
The Stars went 47-21 last season, finishing second in the Central before losing to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference finals.
Tickets for the matchup in Independence will go on sale at noon on July 18; they will be available through the Cable Dahmer Arena box office and Ticketmaster.
