The 2017 NHL Draft will be hosted by the Blackhawks in Chicago, reports ESPN's Pierre LeBrun. An official announcement of the news is expected at a press conference including NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz, team president John McDonough and mayor Rahm Emanuel that's set for 3 p.m. CT.
The 2017 event will make the first time the Blackhawks and the city of Chicago will host the NHL Draft. For the first 21 years, the draft was held in Montreal before moving to the Toronto Convention Centre in 1985. The New York Rangers are now the last remaining original six team to not host the event.