Chicago has officially turned into Draft Town.
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“The NHL Draft is a world class event so it is only fitting that it will be held here in a world class city”, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said.
The NHL Entry Draft is held every year in the months after the season ends, and has rotated around cities in the league since the first event 1963.
ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun broke the news early Thursday that an announcement is expected to be made later in the day that Chicago will be the host city for the 2017 NHL Draft.
Appointing Chicago as the host city for the 2017 draft, which usually happens in late June, makes a lot of sense for both the city and the league. During the 2015 NHL Draft, a total of 27 trades were completed and included players such as David Legwand, Milan Lucic and Anti Niemi. The 2016 NHL Draft takes place in Buffalo.
Ticket distribution plans, related events and other details pertaining to the 2017 NHL Draft will be announced at a later date.
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During it’s 53 years of the annual draft, it has never been held in the city of Chicago, until now. To join the conversation, use the official hashtag #NHLDraft.
