Consol Energy Center will Hold the NHL Draft

Will you be heading to Consol to watch the NHL Draft?  There will be fan activities all day including open fan skate on the synthetic ice rink near American Eagle's gate.  Other community activities are planned including a special batting practice during the Pirates and Twins game.  So, whether you are heading to Consol to enjoy the activities or you are watching the draft at home, it is sure to be a fun weekend for everyone.

A weekend of drama and intrigue returns to Pittsburgh when rising young hockey stars from around the world learn where they’ll be playing professionally. The National Hockey League draft comes to the CONSOL Energy Center Friday and Saturday, and while tickets have already been distributed, Pittsburgh fans can take in a variety of festive public events outside of the arena and around the region.

Pittsburgh last hosted the draft in 1997, and hockey has only grown more popular. Between the 140 players, 2,000+ family members and supporters, executives from the 30 NHL clubs and thousands of fans, this nationally televised event is expected to bring in $9.1 million in direct spending to the Pittsburgh region.
On Wednesday, several leading NHL prospects faced off on the Roberto Clemente Bridge against members of Pittsburgh ICE – a program that teaches hockey to economically disadvantaged students throughout the region. More community activities are planned for Thursday, including a special batting practice during the Pirates-Twins game.

The draft begins Friday night, but the whole day is packed with activities. From noon until 5:30 p.m., free skating is available on a synthetic ice rink near CONSOL’s  American Eagle Gate at Fifth Avenue and Washington Place. The first 200 guests can rent skates for free. (Regular ice skates can’t be used.) To learn more about the innovative material that allows year-round “ice” skating, check out this Our Region’s Business interview with Bob Gierl, the distributer of UltraSkate.

From 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., you can watch the nationally televised draft alongside other fans on the big screen at the public outdoor draft party at the South Parking Lot (across Centre Avenue from CONSOL). There will be live music from Lovebettie, barbecue and beer, interactive games and more. And if you’re able to make it over to the Trib Total Media Gate, you can catch a glimpse of the top prospects as they walk the red carpet at 6:15 p.m. before the first-round draft begins at 7 p.m.
Rounds 2-7 will be held Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. The outdoor “ice” rink will be open again, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information on the draft or activities go to Imagine Pittsburgh.