Gary Bettman has long been a contentious figure as commissioner of the NHL, but he takes the criticism in stride. Since he took the role in 1993, no Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup, with the last being the Montreal Canadiens. Bettman has relocated teams from Canada and expanded into the Southern U.S., which has frustrated many Canadian fans who feel marginalized.
However, recently Bettman praised the state of hockey in Canada, mentioning that Amazon is excited about the Canadian market as part of their new broadcasting deal. He expressed that Amazon’s investment reflects their belief in the importance of hockey in Canada.
The first Amazon Prime game is set for October 14th, featuring the Montreal Canadiens against the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking a new chapter in NHL broadcasting.
Despite the mixed reactions from fans, Bettman has undeniably expanded the reach of the game. While this growth has sometimes come at the expense of Canadian supporters, it’s clear that the NHL’s popularity, particularly in the U.S., owes much to his leadership.
