The Ontario Hockey League is excited to bring back its draft in-person for the first time in 25 years, with Kingston as the host city this weekend.
Officials from the league announced the return of this format last November, collaborating with Tourism Kingston and the Kingston Frontenacs to put everything together.
“We’ve had a lot of firsts for hockey in Kingston,” said Alex Elliott, manager of sport and event development with Tourism Kingston. “It makes sense when you want to bring a big product like the OHL draft back that you start in Kingston.”
This event will gather representatives from all 20 OHL teams in the city for various meetings and activities leading up to Friday evening’s draft.
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Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story. “The OHL has done a lot of the work and background work with the Kingston Frontenacs to bring everything in, but we’re just really excited to bring all the teams from across Ontario all week,” said Elliott. Story continues below The shift back to an in-person setting offers teams a fresh dynamic compared to recent virtual drafts. “It will be unique and different because we’ll be sitting at a table and it might be harder to communicate with the other teams around, so we’ll have to make sure our list is dialled in,” said Kingston Frontenacs general manager Kory Cooper. Cooper mentioned that this occasion will give young players and their families an experience similar to what they see at professional drafts. More on Sports More videos “It really is a mini version of the National Hockey League and their type of draft scenario,” said Cooper. “It would be nerve-racking for the players and stressful at times for the families early on, but certainly something to look back on as an exciting day.” Tourism Kingston expects more than 2,000 visitors for this weekend’s event. “That doesn’t include all of the partners’ tickets and team tickets as well, so there will be a couple thousand people coming out to support,” said Elliott. The organizers also mention public activities designed to engage everyone in the community. “Come out and support,” said Elliott. “There will be activations and mini hockey games and activities outside the venue on Tragically Hip Way starting at 4 p. m.” Story continues below The OHL draft kicks off June 12 at 7 p. m. and continues Saturday with round two.Source link
