The season has just started and we are already thinking about next year.The NHL has announced that the CONSOL Energy Center, home ice to the Pittsburgh Penguins, will host the 2012 Entry Draft.
The first round will begin on Friday, June 22. Rounds two through seven will be hosted the day after.
The entry Draft has turned into quite an event with the NHL Network in the States covering the event. Analysts, hosts and the like all chip in on who will be drafted first, why a team should pick Player A over Player B, and so forth. Interviews with the shell shocked rookies are always nice to see also. A nice reminder that hockey players are the best and most down to earth athletes around.
Ray Shero, Penguins GM had this to say about the event.
“What you are going to see here are future star players. You’re going to see broadcasters, general managers, and scouts.” Shero said. “It’s also a great day for the fans. They can see the next up-and-coming players and interact with a lot of different people.”
Shero also noted.
“There will be over 350 scouts in attendance and these guys work over 363 days a year over these two days, so it’s a very important time for the scouting staffs around the NHL.”
To this day I have yet to see an Entry Draft, but, it is definitely on my bucket list. Maybe once the Detroit Red Wings finally get a new arena, cross your fingers that day comes sometime soon, they can play hosts. If so, I’m definitely getting tickets.
Any readers attended an Entry Draft it be nice to hear about your experience. Feel free to send pictures to eb@hockeyworldblog.com and I’ll post them.
