SB Nation Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh To Host 2012 NHL Entry Drafthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-10-27T15:59:06-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22831172011-10-27T15:59:06-04:002011-10-27T15:59:06-04:00NHL Officially Names Pittsburgh As Host Of 2012 Entry Draft
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<p>The Consol Energy Center is already home to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>. In June, it'll also be home to both days of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the league <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=597600" target="blank">announced</a> Thursday. League commissioner Gary Bettman joined Pittsburgh Penguins CEO David Morehouse, Penguins GM Ray Shero, and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl at a news conference announcing the decision. When Pittsburgh last hosted the Draft--at the old Civic Arena in 1997--Pens megastar <span>Sidney Crosby</span> had not yet celebrated his 10th birthday.</p>
<p>The $321 million facility opened in 2010. The Draft affords Pittsburgh a chance to get excited about hockey, a sport that's on the rise in the Steel City. In last year's draft, four players who started their amateur careers in Pittsburgh were selected in the top 64, notably No. 15 overall selection <span>J.T. Miller</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a>.</p>
<p>Tom McMillan, the Pens' vice president of communications, told NHL.com that the Penguins will go all-out as they prepare to host the draft. "We're going to make that whole week of buildup to the draft a celebration of hockey so in Pittsburgh," he said. "It's going to be more than just the actual draft itself -- there's going to be focus on hockey for a full week, so that's a great thing."</p>
<p>The first round of the Draft is scheduled for June 22. Rounds two through seven will begin the following day. Pittsburgh will host the entire event.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-penguins/2011/10/27/2519111/2012-nhl-entry-draft-pittsburgh-consol-energy-centerEvan Dunlap2011-10-26T09:59:58-04:002011-10-26T09:59:58-04:002012 NHL Entry Draft To Be Hosted In Pittsburgh
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<figcaption>(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It's (almost) official - the 2012 NHL Draft will be in Pittsburgh.</p> <p><a href="http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_763708.html">The Trib reports</a> that on Thursday, Commissioner Gary Bettman will be at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh to officially announce that the 2012 NHL Entry Draft will be held there in late June. The article points out the possibility that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a> could win the Stanley Cup, then host the draft in their own building just a few days later.</p>
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<p>Consol Energy Center, which opened in August 2010, will host to both days of the draft. Round 1 will be held on the evening of June 22, with the Rounds 2-7 to take place starting the morning of June 23.</p>
<p>The Stanley Cup Final generally wraps no more than 10 days before the draft, creating the possibility that the Penguins could figuratively own June by winning the Cup and playing host to the draft.</p>
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<p>Wouldn't that be something? It might be a little premature to wish for, sure, but it's not beyond the realm of possibility at all, given how well the Pens have played so far without <span>Sidney Crosby</span>.</p>
<p>The Trib also notes that the Pens will create a "summer hockey carnival" based around the draft, and that having the draft in Pittsburgh will bring attention to the youth hockey scene in Pittsburgh. Several players with Pittsburgh ties were chosen in last year's draft, including No. 15 overall pick <span>J.T. Miller</span>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-penguins/2011/10/26/2516031/2012-nhl-entry-draft-pittsburgh-consol-energy-centerCharlie Wilmoth