NHL Draft Coming To Chicago In 2017
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago will host the 2017 NHL Draft, commissioner Gary Bettman announced at a press conference Thursday.
The NHL Draft will be held on June 23-24, 2017, Bettman revealed.
"The 2017 draft, our centennial draft, is awarded to Chicago, the Blackhawks and the United Center," Bettman said to the assembled media.
Bettman joined Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, team president John McDonough, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and much of the organization's hockey brass on hand at the United Center.
Chicago already has hosted the NFL Draft last year and will do so again in the spring, but it has never hosted the NHL Draft before. The city will also play host to the NCAA's Frozen Four in April 2017.
"With this outstanding arena as the setting, I know we're all looking forward to being here for a memorable weekend in the Windy City," Bettman said.
The NHL Draft has rotated cities since the 1980s and is typically held in late June, a couple weeks after the Stanley Cup Final.
