The arrival of the NHL Draft in Montreal is the result of many months of efforts by the Canadiens, together with Tourisme Montréal, to allow hockey fans to share in one of the most significant experiences in the lives of hundreds of promising young players from here and around the world.
"We are very pleased to have been chosen by the League to host this prestigious event," said France Margaret Bélanger, executive vice president, commercial and corporate affairs of the Canadiens. "This sign of confidence in our organization and our fans from League management demonstrates that Montreal is, and remains, a top NHL city. For many young hockey players, living this moment at the Bell Centre in Montreal will be an extraordinary experience," added Ms. Bélanger.
Major economic and media benefits
"To think that the NHL Draft started in 1963 as a small gathering at a hotel ballroom in Montreal, makes it all the more exciting to announce that the 2020 edition of the Draft is coming back to its original city, Montreal, in a far grander fashion," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "The NHL Draft has grown into a spectacle befitting our next generation of stars who will walk across the big stage to the next phase of their hockey careers. Montreal is the city where the Draft has been held more times than anywhere else. What a wonderful place for a great celebration of hockey and the players who will shine in our League for years to come."
The holding of this major event in Montreal will be possible thanks to, among other things, the cooperation and leadership of Tourisme Montréal.
"Tourisme Montréal is recognized for its collaborative approach. We are very happy to have participated in this major gain for tourism in our beautiful metropolis," stated Yves Lalumière, president and CEO of Tourisme Montréal.
For instance, this major sporting event represents 7,500 overnight stays for hoteliers, bringing together hundreds of young players, their parents and friends, as well as more than 300 sports journalists from the 30 other cities, in addition to representatives of major national and international media. In fact, more than 60% of players invited to the NHL Draft are from outside Canada, including a growing number of Europeans. And all of these people will be talking about our city every day they spend in Montreal for the 2020 Draft-not to mention the players themselves and their family members who, through social media, will help raise awareness of Montreal as a destination of choice.
The millions of dollars in economic, tourism and publicity spinoffs related to the NHL Draft are such that this major sporting event is already considered one of the highlights of Montreal's tourist season for 2020.
Montreal, hockey city par excellence
The Montreal Canadiens remain one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. A 2015 KPMG study shows that more than 55% of fans who attended a Canadiens game came from outside Montreal.
And now Montreal will host the entire hockey world in the summer of 2020!
"The passion and loyalty of our fans encourages us to work harder and harder to attract events to Montreal that can spread our sport around the world and offer our fans memorable experiences," concluded Ms. Bélanger.
