The Nashville Predators will host the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28-29.
Nashville will also host the 2023 NHL Awards on June 26, the first time the two events will be in the same city since Vancouver hosted each in 2006.
Nashville, which last hosted the draft in 2003, will host the awards for the first time.
“We are thrilled to bring two of our marquee events, the 2023 NHL Awards and the 2023 NHL Draft, to Nashville, a special city that certainly knows how to throw a great party,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.
Nashville hosted the 2022 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Predators 3-2 on Feb. 26 in front of 68,619 fans at Nissan Stadium. Bridgestone Arena hosted the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend and the following season, the Predators advanced to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, a six-game loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“From the 2003 NHL Draft to the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final to the 2022 NHL Stadium Series game, the city, the Predators organization and the country music community have overwhelmed the NHL with their welcome and support every time. Nashville has hosted a League event,” Commissioner Bettman said. “We cannot wait to return next June to celebrate the stars of our game and introduce the next generation of NHL players.”
The first round of the 2023 draft will be televised on ESPN, Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Connor Bedard, a center with Regina of the Western Hockey League, is the projected No. 1 pick. Last season he scored 51 goals to set a Regina record for most in a season by a 16-year-old, passing Jeff Friesen’s 45 in 1992-93, and his 100 points were the most ever by a 16-year-old. Doug Wickenheiser (88, 1977-78).
Broadcast information for Rounds 2-7 will be announced at a later date.
The NHL Awards honor the best regular-season players including most valuable player (Hart Trophy), and best goalie (Vezina Trophy), defenseman (Norris Trophy) and rookie of the year (Calder Trophy). The Ted Lindsay Award is presented annually to the most outstanding player in the NHL voted by members of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA). Broadcast information for the show will be announced at a later date.
Ticket plans, related events and other details will be announced later.
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