NEW YORK — The National Hockey League (NHL) today unveiled an ambitious new strategy to further alienate its core North American fanbase, announcing that upcoming regular season games will be held in a series of increasingly inconvenient international locations. The Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken are slated to kick off this initiative by playing two games in Helsinki, Finland, this November, effectively ensuring that only the most dedicated (and well-funded) fans will be able to attend.

“We understand that some fans might find it challenging to fly across an ocean for a Tuesday night game,” stated NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, speaking from a private jet en route to an undisclosed location. “But think of the global reach! We’re not just selling tickets; we’re selling an experience. An extremely expensive, logistically complex experience that most of our current season ticket holders will never be part of.”

The move comes after years of the NHL successfully building a loyal following in North America, a following it now appears eager to test. Industry analysts suggest the strategy is designed to identify the absolute upper limit of fan devotion, or perhaps just to see if anyone in Finland actually cares about the Carolina Hurricanes.

“It’s a bold play,” commented Dr. Evelyn Reed, a professor of Extreme Sports Marketing at the University of Phoenix Online. “Most leagues try to make it *easier* for fans to see games. The NHL is going the other way, creating a sort of ultra-exclusive, long-distance fan club. It’s either genius or a cry for help.”

Sources close to the league indicate that future plans include games in Antarctica, the Mariana Trench, and a rotating schedule of active volcanoes, all in the name of “growing the game.”

Meanwhile, local fans in Raleigh and Seattle are reportedly considering investing in frequent flyer miles and learning Finnish, just in case their teams decide to play a home game on the moon next season.