NHL commissioner: Seattle will host draft, All-Star Game

By Tim Booth The Associated Press

7 years ago

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announces Seattle as the home of the league’s 32nd franchise, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, at the Board of Governors annual meeting in Sea Island, Ga.(AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

New Seattle hockey franchise majority owner David Bonderman, right, steps up to the podium after the National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman, left, named Seattle as the league’s 32nd franchise, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, in Sea Island, Ga. . (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, center left, holds a jersey after the NHL Board of Governors announced Seattle as the league’s 32nd franchise, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, in Sea Island Ga.. Joining Bettman, from left to right, is Jerry Bruckheimer, David Bonderman, David Wright, Tod Leiweke and Washington Wild youth hockey player Jaina Goscinski. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Seattle Hockey Partners president and CEO Tod Leiweke, right, is hugged by National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman after the announcement by National Hockey League Board of Governors to name Seattle as the home of the league’s 32nd franchise, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, in Sea Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

SEATTLE — The NHL is giving Seattle’s future franchise a reward for its investment in bringing the league’s 32nd franchise to the city.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday the league has promised Seattle it will host the All-Star Game within its first seven seasons, with the team slated to begin play in 2021-22. Bettman also says Seattle will host the NHL draft, and that event will likely be awarded before the All-Star Game arrives.

Bettman made the announcement as part of his first visit to Seattle since the franchise was approved by the league’s Board of Governors in early December. Bettman met with members of the ownership group, fans who have placed deposits on season tickets and reviewed the status of the massive renovation of the arena at Seattle Center where the team will play.

Seattle’s ownership group has put up over $1.5 billion in expansion fees, arena upgrades and a state-of-the-art practice facility.