The NHL In Prague And The Ticket Fiasco

I have been preparing for my trip to Ireland and Prague since the NHL announced back in January that four teams would be opening up their 2008-2009 season in Europe. This is something I've been looking forward to all year long. I alerted all of my friends in Europe that love hockey that the NHL is coming to Prague and Stockholm and that I'll be in Europe for the Exhibition Games in Prague.

I have been putting everything into place as far as getting the hotel reservations taken care of, booking flights, and taking care of my press credentials for Prague. I've checked into the Department of State's website on what I will need to travel to Ireland and the Czech Republic, and then in small print I see a little snag...I need to be worried about bringing my electronic equipment into Prague for use at the NHL Exhibition Game. Of course, this puts up a red flag as I inform my editor that I will need any official paperwork from the NHL so I can get my camera and computer into the country without having it confiscated by customs.

My editor put my worries to rest and said that there will be no problems (I love how he always reminds me to remain positive all of the time). While I'm not really worried about my trip, I started to inquire into the ticket situation for my friends in Europe. I am well aware of what information was passed along in the United States, but I had no idea that the lateness in news is preventing European NHL fans (as well as North Americans) from purchasing tickets to the Prague games.