“Marián Hossa’s Farewell Game: NHL Legends Come Together in Trenčín”

BRATISLAVA. Former Slovak hockey player Marián Hossa will say goodbye to his career on August 18 at the Pavel Demitra Winter Stadium in Trenčín in the company of former NHL teammates.

Former Swedish defender and four-time Stanley Cup winner Nicklas Lidström will also take part in the farewell meeting “Goodbye Game”, in addition to him, Czech forward Martin Havlát and American defender Dustin Byfuglien have also confirmed their participation.

Of the Slovak players, Zdeno Chára and Peter Bondra officially confirmed their participation. Marián Hossa informed about it on Thursday at a press conference.

“It’s something that Slovak fans don’t have a chance to experience,” said Hossa.

VIDEO: Marián Hossa before the Goodbye Game

“Of course, there were interesting names here during the World Cup. Maybe the players whose fans watched in the NHL and didn’t have the opportunity to come to the USA, so now we’re trying to make sure they can see them. Even after their careers, they’re still personalities, that are in the Hall of Fame. Some have their jerseys hanging under the roof of the stadium,” said the member of the Toronto Hockey Hall of Fame.

Legendary and big names

Among the biggest confirmed names is Lidström – a four-time winner of the Stanley Cup in the jersey of Detroit, a seven-time winner of the Norris Trophy for the best defenseman in the NHL, the Olympic champion from Turin 2006 and also a member of the HHOF.

“He is a legendary and big name. I called him and said he would be very happy to come. I was very pleased. If something family-related came up for him, by which I don’t mean a vacation, but something serious, then we can count on him,” he confirmed Hossa.

Among the biggest Slovak hockey personalities, Zdeno Chára will take part in the match in Trenčín:

“I spoke with Zden a few days ago. He said that he would be in Slovakia at that time. He ran a long marathon and is planning other big things. I was surprised, although not that much, because I know what a big ‘hard worker’ he is. He said, that he is very happy to come, which made me happy, because I know that Zdeno doesn’t play at exhibitions,” said Hossa about the former Slovakian defender.

Charitable dimension

A total of 33 players are to be approached, including three goalkeepers. The menoslov will mainly include Marián Hossa’s former teammates from his time in the overseas professional league.

“I wrote down a list of the players with whom I have lived the most, they stuck in my memory and we are still in touch. I started to contact the players. I have not yet contacted all the ones I plan to.

We also expect that not everyone will be able to come. There are three and a half months left until the event, so someone can promise to participate and something can come of it. I believe that of those who confirm their participation, 90 percent will come.”

Among the players addressed is the long-time captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathan Toews.

“I had an interesting debate with Johnny. He will take time to think, he appreciates it. But at the moment it will depend on whether he continues his career. If he decides to quit, then he will have more time, then there is a higher chance that he will come ,” Hossa said.

The match will also have a charitable dimension, after it is played the individual players will sign their special jerseys and they will be auctioned: “The goal is to help those who need it the most.”

Toews and Patrick Kane

In addition to the member of the Hockey Hall of Fame Lidström, several other interesting names from the former Detroit Red Wings staff are also in the game.

“I also had conversations with other players who worked in Detroit. The debate was positive, but I don’t want to press the saw. If they don’t have anything there, they will be happy to come. In the second wave, we will say other names,” said Hossa, who in the “red wings” jersey ” played the 2008/2009 season and with the team completed an unsuccessful Stanley Cup final series against the Pittsburgh Penguins (3:4).

At that time, for example, the Russian Pavel Dacjuk or a numerous Swedish enclave, led by Lidström and Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzén, were active in Detroit.

The involvement of Hoss’ former Chicago teammate Patrick Kane complicates the fact that the 34-year-old American is still an active player. After sixteen years spent in the “Hawks” jersey, he is fighting in the playoffs for the New York Rangers.

“I haven’t called him yet. It’s understandable, since he’s playing in the playoffs. I’ll wait, of course, he would be a huge name, but he’ll probably want to spend time with his family. I already know the guys, so I’m not big eyes, but for asking, man it won’t give anything. I’m careful and I’m going at it with humility. I’ll be happy if at least half of the names come out.”

VIDEO: Before Marián Hossa’s Goodbye Game

Among the officially confirmed players is the three-time winner of the Stanley Cup, the Swede Nicklas Hjalmarsson, who worked together with Hoss in Chicago.

Special event on the square

The organizer of the event wants to reveal other names later.

“We want to make it attractive until the last moment by not making the lineups clear in advance. This will happen approximately two hours before the match,” revealed agent and event organizer Peter Neveriš.

“The whole thing should take place at Mierov Square in Trenčín, where a huge fan zone will be created. All the participating players will appear on stage and the teams will be determined by drawing balls. We don’t want to give all the names out right now,” he noted.

Ticket sales will start on Thursday, April 27 in the evening through the Ticketportal sales network. It will be divided into waves, in the first 1000 tickets will go on sale.

The organizers have already revealed the ticket prices. One ticket will cost 81 euros for sitting, 49 euros for standing.