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The Welsh capital could play host to a series of major-league US ice hockey games as part of new proposals that could potentially be worth millions to the economy.

America’s National Hockey League (NHL) are in talks to annually hold a televised league match in Cardiff in a three to five-year deal with the Millennium Stadium.

The deal would begin in 2014 to coincide with a major sporting year for Cardiff, where the capital is recognised as the European Capital of Sport at its new ice arena is launched.

Initial support has been received from the Welsh Government and the Millennium Stadium, giving the green light for further negotiations with the NHL.

A UK ice hockey delegation is expected to fly to New York in August to continue negotiations and pitch its vision for holding major-league ice hockey in Cardiff.

Paul Ragan, owner of the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team and brainchild behind the lucrative vision for the city, said the proposals had the potential of having a greater economic impact than Wales’ hosting of the Ryder Cup in 2010.

“It would be fantastic if we could pull it off,” said the 44-year-old. “The Millennium Stadium is one of the top facilities in the country and around the Europe, and it would be a fantastic way of celebrating the stadium and bringing a festival of ice to the city.

“It would be a great opportunity to promote ice sports and encourage people to want to skate. This would be a fantastic opportunity to launch it on a worldwide platform.”

Initial discussions with the NHL over bringing American ice hockey games to the Millennium Stadium began in March.

Mr Ragan is hoping the NHL will bring one mid-season American league match to the Millennium Stadium in each year as part of a three to five-year deal.

Surrounding this main event, Cardiff would hold a series of ice sports events, including local ice hockey games and “winter wonderland” ice skating for families in the Millennium Stadium.

It is believed the proposals, if approved, would be the first time US teams have ever played a match in Wales.

The Millennium Stadium would be able to pack in more spectator seats due to the standard ice hockey rink requiring less space than a rugby pitch.

Mr Ragan, from Cowbridge, said that reaching a capacity crowd of more than 75,000 could set a world-record for a NHL match.

“It would be impressive and I think it would draw a capacity crowd,” said the father of four. “I think there would be a big draw from Europe. Ice hockey is big in Scandinavia and other parts, so people would come to Cardiff to watch a game like that.”

A UK delegation – including the Cardiff Devils and Ice Hockey UK – is expected to jet off to New York later this summer to discuss the proposals.

Mr Ragan said the biggest challenge faced by the delegates would be persuading the NHL to support holding such events as part of their main league season.

The sport’s bosses would also need to consider time zone issues for broadcasting the matches live to US audiences.

But Mr Ragan remained hopeful the proposals would be fully considered.

He said: “I think it will be fundamental for raising the profile of Cardiff, and will be on a worldwide scale. I also think it would raise the profile of ice hockey and ice sports.”

“It has the potential to be more economically beneficial than the Ryder Cup. It would bring ice hockey to the forefront in the UK. It would get huge support, not only around the UK, but also Europe.”