Report: Chicago Gets 2017 NHL Draft

The 2017 NHL draft will be hosted by the Chicago Blackhawks, according to a report from ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun.

NHL commissioner is scheduled to have a press conference at Chicago’s United Center on Thursday afternoon and this is expected to be the announcement made. It will be the first time in the franchise’s 53-year history that they’ve hosted a NHL draft.

It makes sense from the point of view that the NHL is continuing to build an unshakable hot bed for hockey in North America’s fifth most populous city.

No doubt fans of a particular organization celebrating a particular anniversary will take it as a slight that their team didn’t get the draft, even though there are reports that they’re getting an outdoor game in the form of the Heritage Classic that will take place in traditional slot for the Winter Classic, as well as a best-on-best global tournament and the biggest event in junior hockey.

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