to be held on June 30, 2014 in Halifax

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LOS ANGELES -- Wayne Gretzky and Luc Robitaille squinted into brilliant sunshine Monday as the 18-wheel truck carrying the NHLs portable refrigeration units pulled up to the outfield entrance to Dodger Stadium. . In less than two weeks, their Los Angeles Kings and the rival Anaheim Ducks will turn Chavez Ravine into Californias version of a winter wonderland. The NHL is staging its first warm-weather outdoor game on a hockey rink flanked by a beach volleyball court and an below-ground swimming pool in the famed baseball stadiums outfield. The NHLs ice-makers were already at work on a beautiful 79-degree day, and Gretzky cant wait to see the next step in the evolution of a sport that didnt bloom in the California sun until the Great One moved to Los Angeles in 1988. "Im very proud that I was a piece of the group that was sort of responsible for stamping hockey into this area," Gretzky said while standing on the centre field grass. "It was the right group of guys, from Luc (Robitaille) to Marty McSorley to Kelly Hrudey to Tony Granato," Gretzky added. "Each and every guy understood that this was a different market from other markets in the NHL, and these guys always went above and beyond the call of duty to go out and promote the sport and get more and more kids interested." The game will be a landmark for hockey in the American Southwest, which has produced a handful of NHL players and dozens more prospects in the pipeline over the past quarter-century. But the game also heralds the return of the leagues career scoring leader to hockey prominence. Gretzky has mostly stayed out of the public spotlight for five years since leaving the Phoenix Coyotes bench, but he will be a prominent feature during the festivities, thrilling the NHL. Accompanied to Dodger Stadium by his wife, Janet, Gretzky said he is thrilled to see an outdoor game in the city where he played nearly eight NHL seasons. Robitaille, now the Kings president of business operations, said Gretzky is "like our Babe Ruth, and we need him around." "We cant have this game without having Wayne," Robitaille added. "Its so important hes here. Its so important that he be here for that game. Its the day before his birthday, too. Ive got to remember to have a cake." Gretzky, Robitaille and Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau got a detailed look at early preparations for the game, which will be played after the sun goes down on Jan. 25. The NHLs ice crews are putting down the foundation for the rink over the next few days, likely beginning the ice-making process Thursday. They will work entirely at night, gradually building up the ice sheet in colder temperatures while keeping it covered during the day. NHL ice specialist Dan Craig is intrigued by the challenge of a warm-weather game, but confident his crew will deliver a workable surface -- although he wont be getting much sleep over the next two weeks while working through the nights. Gretzky and Robitaille also arent worried. After all, they both remember the Kings outdoor exhibition game in 1991 in Las Vegas, where the biggest hitch was a grasshopper invasion of the ice. "People dont realize its like 65 degrees in a hockey arena," Gretzky said. "Its kind of warm. Its not that cold." . The 47-year-old Gaudet is the most decorated wheelchair curler in history, having won gold medals at both the 2006 and 2010 Paralympics She also has three world championships to her name. . Harnessing all their big-game experience, the Germans delivered a performance of maturity and efficiency to hold off France 1-0 on Friday and become the first team to reach four straight semifinals in the sports marquee tournament. . PAUL, Minn.Six-time PGA TOUR champion, two-time United States Ryder Cup member and two-time Presidents Cup member Matt Kuchar will team with two other PGA TOUR players and one Web.com Tour player to represent the World at the inaugural Canada Cup Match, to be held on June 30, 2014 in Halifax at Ashburn Golf Club - New Course. The Canada Cup is part of GOLFest Nova Scotia, a week-long celebration of national pride and all things golf in Canada that will also feature a Web.com Tour event, the Nova Scotia Open, from June 29 to July 6. Currently ranked 11th in the Official World Golf Ranking, Kuchar is a proven winner and experienced veteran on the PGA TOUR. Notably, he has won some of golfs most prestigious tournaments, including the World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship and the Memorial Tournament in 2013, THE PLAYERS Championship in 2012 and The Barclays in 2010. A fan favourite on the PGA TOUR, affectionately referred to as Kooch, Kuchars friendly, All-American personality draws in crowds aaround the world, where he is adored as one of the most relatable and likable players on Tour. . No stranger to team competitions, Kuchar has had great success in international match play events. Most recently, he represented the victorious United States team at the 2013 Presidents Cup in Dublin, Ohio, where he finished the week tied as the teams second-leading individual scorer. Kuchar also represented the United States at the 2011 Presidents Cup and the 2012 and 2010 Ryder Cups, as well as the 2013 and 2011 Omega Mission Hills World Cup, where he teamed with Gary Woodland to defeat a strong field of international twosomes. "I know that Canadians have tremendous pride and passion for their athletes, and I look forward to playing against my fellow PGA TOUR colleagues in that type of energetic environment. I am sure that the battle for the Canada Cup and international bragging rights will be a memorable and exciting experience for players and spectators alike," said Kuchar. ' ' '