New York: In an unprecedented move, the National Hockey League (NHL) announced on Tuesday that the 2024 NHL Draft will take place at Las Vegas’ iconic Sphere, marking the first-ever televised event at this futuristic venue.
Scheduled for June 28-29, the NHL Draft will see the San Jose Sharks, widely anticipated to pick Canadian forward Macklin Celebrini as the first overall selection, making history in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.
The Sphere, resembling a colossal globe, opened its doors last September to immense acclaim. Renowned for its immersive video technology, the venue boasts a mesmerizing wraparound interior LED screen and an outdoor LED display that commands attention amidst the glittering Las Vegas skyline.
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NHL Senior Executive Vice President Steve Mayer expressed the league’s excitement in a press release, stating, “The NHL is proud to bring the first sports event and the first live television broadcast to Sphere. Together with the amazing team at Sphere, we plan to deliver an NHL Draft like no other, introducing the bright future of hockey in an innovative and exhilarating setting.”
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The draft proceedings will unfold over two days, with the opening round taking place on the first day, followed by rounds two through seven on the subsequent day.
San Jose secured the privilege of selecting Celebrini after emerging victorious in the NHL Draft Lottery, held on Tuesday and involving the 16 teams that failed to qualify for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the Sharks finishing at the bottom of the NHL standings, they held the highest odds of winning the lottery at 18.5%.
