The 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft will be held June 28 and 29 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, the NHL announced Tuesday.
The NHL will be the first sports league to utilize the $2.8 billion, 18,600-seat globe-shaped arena, known for its immersive video and audio technology, including a 16K-resolution wraparound indoor LED screen and outdoor LED displays. It will also be the first event to be broadcast live from Sphere.
The announcement was made by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman during the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery.
“The NHL is proud to bring the first sporting event and the first live television broadcast to the Sphere,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer Steve Meyer. “Together with our incredible team at Sphere, we plan to deliver an NHL Draft like no other, showcasing the bright future of hockey in an innovative and exhilarating environment.”
The first round of the draft is Friday, June 28th at 7pm ET (7pm ET, ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS) and rounds 2 through 7 are Saturday, June 29th at 11:30pm ET (ET). time, ESPN+, NHLN, SN, SN1). NHL club executives, scouts and coaches will be in attendance at the NHL Draft floor, while thousands of fans and hundreds of print, television and radio media outlets are expected to be in attendance.
“Sphere continues to establish itself as a premier destination for the most anticipated events in sports and entertainment,” said MSG Entertainment's Executive Vice President of Marquee Events & Operations, who oversees Sphere's marquee events. President Joel Fisher said. “We welcome the NHL Draft and look forward to showcasing Sphere’s next-generation capabilities in person and to the world through the first live television broadcast from the venue.”
Maclin Celebrini, a center from Hockey East's Boston University, is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft. The 17-year-old, the youngest player in NCAA Division I men's hockey this season, appeared in 38 games for Boston University and ranked second in the nation with 32 points and third with 64 points. He was named Hockey East's Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, and became the youngest recipient of the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men's hockey.
Celebrini (6 feet tall, 190 pounds), ranked No. 1 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters eligible for the 2024 draft, had 14 more goals and 15 points more than the No. 2 player in each category on the team. .
“I'm pretty excited. It's going to be pretty cool for the draft to be in Las Vegas,” Celebrini told NHL.com. “I've never been to Las Vegas and this will be my first time so I'm looking forward to it.”
Celebrini is expected to be followed by a number of talented players to choose from, including several high-end defensive prospects. Among them are Michigan State freshman Artyom Levshunov (6-2, 208th), who is No. 2 in Central Scouting's final North American skater rankings, and University of Denver freshman Zeev Bouium (6-0, 183rd). , 4th place) are also included. Named to the NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament Team.
Additionally, Zayn Parekh (6-0, 179, 5th) of Saginaw, Sam Dickinson (6-2, 199, 7th) of London (OHL), and Anton Shilaev (6-7) of the Ontario Hockey League; , 199th, 7th) 211, 1st in Central Scouting's final ranking of international skaters), the Torpedoes of the Continental Hockey League are also attracting even more attention in the future.
“It's an elite class with some really high-end players on forward and defense,” NHL Central Scouting's David Gregory said.
The talented group of forwards includes right wing Ivan Demidov of St. Petersburg of the Russian Minor Hockey League (5-11, 181, No. 2 internationally) and center Caden Lindstrom of Medicine Hat (6-3). , 210, 3rd place). Western Hockey League), U.S. Hockey League's Tri-City left winger Trevor Connelly (6-0, 156, 6th), Spokane (WHL) center Barkley Catton (5-10, 170, 8th), Kelowna ( WHL) center Tigi Iginla (6-0, 182, 9th).
“When I first heard about it, I honestly laughed because it's crazy to think about. But honestly, I can't wait,” Catton said. “I think it will be a surreal experience.”
Cole Yzerman (6-0, 195, 12), a left wing for the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program U-18 team in the United States Hockey League, has 58 goals and 89 points in 57 games this season. . He plans to attend Boston University in 2024-2025.
“When I heard the news that the draft could be coming to Las Vegas, my brother sent it straight to the group chat and they were pretty excited,” Yzerman said. “I don't know much about the Sphere, so I might have to do a little research. I always like new things, so it's pretty cool. It's my first time going to Las Vegas.”
Sphere is located off the Las Vegas Strip and less than five miles from T-Mobile Arena, home of the Las Vegas Golden Knights, and is owned by New York Rangers owner Jim Dolan.
“Hosting the 2024 NHL Draft at the Sphere perfectly captures the evolution of Las Vegas as the sports and entertainment capital of the world,” said President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. said Steve Hill. “Las Vegas has been a hockey city since the puck dropped on the Golden Knights' first game in 2017. As the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, we are proud to announce that Las Vegas and this truly innovative venue are the destination for the NHL's next game. I couldn't be more excited about the selection.'' This is a generation of players. ”
This will likely be the last NHL Draft to have representatives from all 32 teams on the draft floor. Starting in 2025, the draft will be decentralized, with most team executives remaining in their home markets, with real-time access to talent and clubs able to host fan events. Draft candidates will likely be gathered in one place.
