Foster announces Boston Bruins match at the Odyssey

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster today announced that a professional American ice hockey team will play an exhibition match against the Belfast Giants this autumn.

The Boston Bruins, from the national Hockey League (NHL), have agreed to play an exhibition game against the Giants at the Odyssey Arena on Saturday, 2 October, prior to two games in Prague. With millions of followers across the world, the Boston Bruins are equivalent to Manchester United or Chelsea in terms of popularity and fame in their sport.

Arlene Foster said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for Belfast and Northern Ireland as the Boston Bruins, who are a professional ice hockey team from the top league in the world, come here to play our very own Belfast Giants.

“The eyes of the world will fall on Belfast this October. Having an internationally renowned, professional ice hockey team come to Belfast will reap many benefits for Northern Ireland.

“Not only will the event help build on Northern Ireland’s reputation as a venue for hosting international sporting events, it will also see many people travel from near and far to witness this professional exhibition game. Hopefully while they are here, fans will also take the opportunity to experience some of the great things to see and do in Northern Ireland.

“The game against the Boston Bruins will also coincide with Invest NI hosting a visit of potential inward investors from the United States, where we have a track record of winning investment in technology, business and financial services. Alongside the opportunity to see and hear at first hand about our infrastructure, accessible skills base and the support offered by Invest NI, the event will enable us to showcase the many wider benefits of the quality of life which Northern Ireland offers, a fact which was recently endorsed by an independent study which found Belfast to be the least expensive city in the UK to locate expatriates.

“Our ability to attract events such as this sends a very strong signal to potential international investors that, as an overall package, now is the time to choose Northern Ireland as an investment location.”

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has awarded the Belfast Giants £75,000 of funding towards the costs of holding the event, and the expected return on investment is almost £5 for every pound of public money invested.

The Boston Bruins are one of the six original teams that competed in the NHL until the first expansion to 12 teams in 1967.

Notes to editors:

1. All media queries should be directed to the DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9297. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.