Vancouver to host 2019 NHL draft as part of Canucks’ 50th anniversary
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks will host the 2019 NHL draft.
The NHL, Canucks and City of Vancouver announced Wednesday that the draft will be part of the Canucks’ 50th anniversary celebration.
The draft will be held over two days, with the first round on June 21 and rounds two through seven on June 22. “Returning the draft to Vancouver allows the entire NHL family to meaningfully participate in a highlight of the Canucks’ 50-year anniversary celebration,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “The 2019 NHL Draft will provide another memorable moment for the Canucks and their fans while shining the spotlight on one of the world’s most scenic cities and serving as the starting point for so many NHL careers.”
Vancouver has previously hosted the draft twice, in 2006 and 1990 when it was held at B.C. Place Stadium.
The draft is expected to have an economic impact of between $8 million and $10 million, Bettman said.
Bettman was also asked about the success of the first-year Vegas Golden Knights and if the proposed new team in Seattle would enjoy the same generous expansion draft.
“We would anticipate that the terms of the expansion draft for a 32nd team would be the same as they were for Las Vegas,” said Bettman. “My guess is the perspective owners of a 32nd team wouldn’t want to have terms any different than what Las Vegas got, especially because they are going to be paying more.”
A Seattle group led by billionaire David Bonderman and filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer have submitted an expansion application to the NHL. The expansion fee is expected to be around US$650 million.
In the Las Vegas expansion draft, each team could protect seven forwards, three defencemen and one goaltender or one goaltender and eight skaters regardless of position.
That was different than in the 2000 expansion draft for Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets, when each team protected nine forwards, five defencemen and one goaltender or two goalies, three defencemen and seven forwards.
Vegas has been the surprise of the NHL season. Heading into Wednesday’s action, the Golden Kings had a 41-17-5 record for 87 points, leaving them tied with Nashville for second place overall.
The quality of players the Vegas franchise selected isn’t the only reason for the team’s success, said Bettman. He said the team was able to connect with the community following the Oct. 1 shooting that left 58 people dead and 851 injured.
“What is going on in Las Vegas is a phenomenon,” said Bettman. “There are probably a whole host of factors, some of them are emotional.
“This is a team that came into being in the wake of a tragedy. I think on some level the players are playing for some greater cause. Unity, healing, you name it. I think you see it in the way the players have conducted themselves and the way the city has embraced this team.”