A few years ago, the New York Rangers traveled to a remote town in Alaska to play a pond hockey game against some locals.

Of course, Mystery, Alaska, was just a movie. In the real world, NHL teams don't play exhibitions in Alaska.

Puerto Rico? That's a different story.

Last night, the Florida Panthers played the New York Rangers in the first pro hockey game south of Miami Arena when the two met in San Juan.

"It's our job to promote the game the best we can," Panthers center Stephen Weiss said. "I'm sure some people are going to be confused. But it's an exciting game, even if you don't know anything about it. With the speed, contact and athleticism, hey, maybe we will catch someone's eye and maybe they'll want to pick up the game."

A good portion of Florida's players didn't make the flight to San Juan, opting to stay behind in Chicago, then go to Detroit for a preseason game today against the Red Wings. The players who are going say they are excited to play a game in a different building and a different atmosphere.

"It's crazy," defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski said. "Everyone I [told] about this trip just [shook] their head. They can't believe we're playing in Puerto Rico. I think this is great for the game. If there's hockey in Florida, why not Puerto Rico and the Caribbean? It'll be interesting. It's expanding the game. Someday, there might be a hockey team in Puerto Rico. That would be a cool road trip. It'll be fun to be a part of this one."

The game was televised in New York and in San Juan. The Rangers had been on the island since Thursday, practicing in San Juan's 2-year-old arena while visiting hospitals and sightseeing. The team also arranged to have the game called on Spanish radio.

The teams wondered about the arena and ice surface but had their concerns allayed.

"They've got good ice in there now and they have two brand-new Zambonis," ice-maker Dan Craig told the Edmonton Journal in Alberta this week. "I think it could be more than a one-shot thing. Who knows, maybe there will be games in Mexico City someday, too."

The Panthers were a natural choice to play in this game and quickly accepted the host Rangers' invitation in the playoffs. The Panthers play in one of hockey's nontraditional markets, and the team's arrival in 1993 was the impetus for construction of a number of ice rinks in South Florida.

In Puerto Rico, the situation is different. There aren't as many transplanted Northerners on the island as there are in South Florida, and aside from what is found in the variety of tropical drinks here, there isn't much ice -- at least not on which to skate.

Blackhawks

It had been so long since Adrian Aucoin played hockey that he wasn't sure if he would remember his pregame routine.

In an exhibition opener Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues was the first competitive game for the Blackhawks' captain since Jan. 29, when his season ended with a separated right shoulder.

The injury capped off an awful first season in Chicago for Aucoin that began with groin injuries. The defenseman played in just 33 games, the fewest in his NHL career.

"When the shoulder happened, it was almost one of those things that it wasn't meant to be," Aucoin said. "I've been pretty blessed throughout my career not to have too many serious injuries."

With a goal Tuesday and more than 20 minutes of ice time, Aucoin began to erase the misery of last season.

"I wasn't sure what to expect," he said. "It's almost as if you're not sure if you remember your routine, but once you get to the rink everything comes back naturally."

A healthy and productive Aucoin is important for the Blackhawks' chances of success this season on many levels. He will be counted very heavily on the power play.