NEW YORK-- The National Hockey League today announced that the 2017 NHL Awards™ will return to Las Vegas to celebrate the League's top talent from the 2016-17 season on Wednesday, June 21 at T-Mobile Arena. In addition, it was announced that the NHL Expansion Draft™, a special event revealing the initial roster of the League's 31st team, the Vegas Golden Knights™, will be incorporated into the 2017 NHL Awards™.
Expansion Draft will be part of NHL Awards in Las Vegas
Selections made by Golden Knights revealed during show June 21
Televised live in the United States on NBCSN and in Canada on Sportsnet at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, the 2017 NHL Awards™ will showcase hockey and Hollywood's biggest stars with the excitement and energy that only Las Vegas can provide. As part of the program, the Golden Knights' 30 selections in the NHL Expansion Draft™ will be revealed, providing the home fans - and national viewing audience - the opportunity to learn the initial composition of the team's roster. The show will highlight team Majority Owner Bill Foley, General Manager George McPhee, Head Coach Gerard Gallant, as well as select players chosen by the Golden Knights, who begin NHL play in 2017-18.
The 2017 NHL Awards™ will again honor the top individual regular-season performances in a wide range of categories, including most valuable player (Hart Trophy), outstanding goaltender (Vezina Trophy), outstanding defenseman (Norris Trophy) and outstanding rookie (Calder Trophy). The Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually to the "most outstanding player" in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), also will be awarded.
**RELATED: [Complete guide to NHL Trophies and all-time winners]
"We are thrilled to be in Las Vegas again for the NHL Awards," said Steve Mayer, NHL Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President. "To be able to pair this perennial show with the excitement of the expansion draft for the Vegas Golden Knights is a unique opportunity that we think our fans will enjoy greatly."
The 2017 NHL Awards™ is the eighth time the League will honor the best hockey players in the world and the top performances of the season in Las Vegas. This will mark the NHL Awards™ debut for T-Mobile Arena. Other Las Vegas venues that have hosted include the Palms Hotel (2009-2011), Encore at Wynn Las Vegas (2012, 2014), MGM Grand (2015) and The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (2016). Encore at Wynn Las Vegas will serve as NHL® Headquarters during the 2017 NHL Awards™ & NHL Expansion Draft™.
"June 21 will be an incredible day for the city of Las Vegas and our fans," said Vegas Golden Knights Chairman and CEO Bill Foley. "The anticipation around the Expansion Draft has been building for months and that excitement will continue to grow as we get closer to Draft Day. By combining the draft with the NHL Awards, Golden Knights fans will get to experience a monumental day in our team's history while enjoying one of the premier NHL events that features the game's biggest stars."
"During the 2017 NHL Awards, Las Vegas will celebrate the NHL's top players and teams, and for the first time the destination will be represented by our new home team, the Vegas Golden Knights," said Cathy Tull, Senior Vice President of Marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "Las Vegas and the NHL are a winning combination, and we look forward to kicking off the Golden Knights' highly anticipated first season."
Information on an exclusive ticket pre-sale for Vegas Golden Knights season-ticket holders will be sent by the club in the coming days. This opportunity is for tickets to the 2017 NHL Awards™ & NHL Expansion Draft™ and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Tickets will be available for purchase to the general public beginning on Wednesday, May 3 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.
A full line up of presenters and entertainment as well as official fan travel and hospitality packages through PrimeSport will be announced at a future date. In addition, fans can tweet about the event using the official hashtag #NHLAwards.
Finalists for each award will be announced beginning Wednesday, April 19 with nominees for each award revealed daily. Following is the schedule of nominee announcements. Please note that all announcement dates are subject to change.
Wednesday, April 19**
Selke Trophy (forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game)
Thursday, April 20
Calder Trophy (top rookie)
Friday, April 21
Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
Saturday, April 22
Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
Sunday, April 23
Lady Byng Trophy (player best combining sportsmanship and ability)
Monday, April 24
Masterton Trophy (perseverance and dedication to hockey)
Tuesday, April 25
NHL Foundation Player Award (community service)
Wednesday, April 26
Jack Adams Award (top head coach)
Thursday, April 27
Mark Messier Leadership Award
Monday, May 1
Hart Trophy (most valuable player to his team)
Tuesday, May 2
Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player as voted by the Players)
