2009-10 NHL Calendar

Sept. 14 - Exhibition game schedule begins

Sept. 30 - Exhibition schedule ends

Oct. 1 - 2009-10 NHL season opens

Oct. 2-3 - Four games in Europe as part of the opening of the 2009-10 NHL regular season. Detroit Red Wings play the St. Louis Blues in Stockholm, and Chicago Blackhawks play the Florida Panthers in Helsinki.

Nov. 7 - Annual Hockey Hall of Fame Game in Toronto: Maple Leafs versus Red Wings

Nov. 9 - Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Toronto.

Dec. 26 - World Junior Hockey Championship begins in Regina/Saskatoon, Canada.

Jan. 1 - NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park in Boston: Bruins versus Philadelphia Flyers.

Jan. 5 - Gold medal game at World Junior Hockey Championship.

Jan. 23 - Minnesota Wild host Columbus Blue Jackets as part of annual Hockey Day in Minnesota celebrations.

Jan. 30 - Hockey Day in Canada celebrations include Montreal at Ottawa, Vancouver at Toronto, and Edmonton at Calgary.

Feb. 13 - Olympic women's hockey tournament opens in Vancouver.

Feb. 14- Final games before NHL begins Olympic break.

Feb. 16 - Olympic men's hockey tournament opens in Vancouver.

Mar. 1 - NHL season resumes.

Mar. 3 - 2009-10 NHL trade deadline.

April 11 - NHL regular season ends.

April 14 - Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.

May 7 - IIHF World Men's Hockey Championship begins in Germany.

May 23 - Gold medal game at IIHF World Men's Hockey Championship.

June 18 - Last possible day of Stanley Cup Final.

June 25-26 - NHL Entry Draft at Los Angeles.

July 1 - Free Agent signing period begins.