Saturday marked the eighth anniversary of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman awarding Las Vegas the league’s 31st franchise. Back on June 22, 2016, Bettman couldn’t have predicted how much of a hockey town Las Vegas would become.
Since then, the Golden Knights have been at the forefront of many major NHL events. From hosting an expansion draft to participating in Stanley Cup Finals and the Winter Classic, the Knights have been making waves in the league. Now, they can add the NHL draft to their list of accomplishments as the two-day event is set to take place at The Sphere on Friday and Saturday.
Knights president Kerry Bubolz expressed his excitement, highlighting the opportunity to showcase Las Vegas as a great hockey town once again. This marks the second time in three years that Las Vegas is hosting a draft for one of the major men’s professional sports leagues, with the NFL drawing huge crowds in April 2022.
While the NHL draft may not attract as large of a crowd as the NFL draft did, the league is aiming to provide a unique and memorable experience for all attendees. The event at The Sphere will be the first televised one since the venue opened, promising to be a standout event.
Looking back at the history of the NHL draft, it’s amazing to see how far it has come. From its humble beginnings in 1963 to now being a televised event with fans eagerly waiting to see where the top prospects will end up, the draft has evolved significantly.
The decision to host the draft at The Sphere was influenced by various factors, including the timing of the NHL season and the availability of other venues. The unique features of The Sphere, such as the massive LED video board, will enhance the draft experience for players, fans, and attendees.
Despite facing challenges and having to adapt to a new venue, the NHL and The Sphere are working together to ensure a successful and memorable event. The draft will not only be an indoor affair, as the TV broadcast will also be shown outside on the Exosphere, allowing fans to witness the action from the exterior of the venue.
This draft may be one of the last of its kind, as the NHL considers decentralizing the event in the future. However, the hope is that the success of this draft at The Sphere will make the league reconsider and continue with the existing format.
Overall, the NHL draft coming to Las Vegas is a testament to how the city has embraced hockey and become a premier destination for NHL events. With the Knights’ success on the ice and the city’s reputation as an entertainment hub, Las Vegas has solidified its position as a prominent sports city in addition to being an event and entertainment capital.
