The popular Frozen Fury series that celebrates the eve of a new hockey season with preseason Kings games in Las Vegas – often against the Avalanche – was thought to be facing an uncertain future with the impending expiration this fall of a three-year agreement between the Kings and MGM Grand that was signed prior to the 2013-14 season.
While the long-term future of Frozen Fury has not been solidified due, in part, by the apparent NHL expansion into Las Vegas, it is appearing likely that the October 3 exhibition game against Colorado will not be the final installment of the series.
“Our goal and desire would be to have that tradition live on in some capacity,” said AEG Sports COO Kelly Cheeseman.
There are no agreements set in place to officially extend the series, though it is expected that this year will be the final season that Frozen Fury will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Should a new agreement be reached to extend the series, it is expected that the future site would be at the arena currently under construction on the Las Vegas Strip that will be operated jointly between AEG Live and MGM Grand (and is expected to ultimately house an NHL expansion team).
Again, no agreements have been made at this point, and there are no imminent announcements regarding the extension of the series. What happens with the league’s decisions to expand – no decisions have been made official – will determine the long-term feasibility of extending the series well into the future.
Los Angeles is 11-4-3 at Frozen Fury, which since 1997 has been held in Las Vegas every year other than 2004 and 2012.
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