The Montreal Canadiens and the NHL officially announced on Tuesday that the 2009 NHL entry draft will be held in the city.
The draft will take place on June 26 and 27, 2009 at Bell Centre. The Canadiens will also host the all-star game in January as part of the club's centennial celebrations.
“The Montreal Canadiens are extremely proud to host the 2009 NHL entry draft,” club president Pierre Boivin said in a statement.
“In December 2009, the Canadiens will become the first professional hockey team to celebrate a century of history. Thanks to the NHL, the entry draft is back in Montreal after 17 years. We are excited about this occasion, knowing the past history of the draft and its origins in Montreal.”
The draft was held in Montreal between 1963 and 1984 before being shifted among other cities around the league. The Canadiens last hosted the draft in 1992.
