“Prime Minister Gary Bettman and PEI Celebrate at NHL Awards Show: Bridging the Gap between Islander Fans and the League”
THE STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI — The provincial government is trying to lure the annual National Hockey League awards ceremony to Prince Edward Island.
During a break in the NHL All-Star Game on February 4, Sportsnet TV host Ron MacLean asked NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman about the PEI government’s request.
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Bettman told MacLean he had held talks with Premier Dennis King.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media prior to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla., Saturday, February 4, 2023. – Sam Navarro
SaltWire Network contacted the NHL on February 6 to inquire about MacLean’s interview.
“In a recent conversation with Commissioner Bettman, Premier King expressed a desire to bring the awards to PEI, and we really appreciated the expression of interest,” Gary Meagher, the NHL’s senior executive vice president of communications, told SaltWire in an e-mail. Mail on Monday February 6th.
“There are currently a number of location options that we are considering for future awards.”
SaltWire asked what type of venue would be required to host the NHL Awards, but Meagher didn’t respond.
Calls to the Prime Minister’s office on February 6 and 7 for comment went unanswered.
“It would certainly be a feather in the island’s hat.” – John Abbott, Eastlink Center interim GM
Since 2009, the NHL Awards have been presented at casinos and hotels in Las Vegas. The 2022 show was hosted by Armature Works in Tampa, Florida, which has multiple venues.
MacLean told SaltWire he would love it if some kind of agreement were possible.
“I think there are some recent examples of maritime hospitality (that would be great for the game),” MacLean said in an email. “Gary seemed enthusiastic when I brought up the subject.”
John Abbott, interim general manager of the Eastlink Center in Charlottetown, said if that happens it will be a big boost for the island.
“It doesn’t matter (which PEI venue is hosting), it’s going to be tremendous for the residents of the island,” Abbott said. “It would certainly be a feather in the island’s cap.
“We’d appreciate any role we could play, be it as a venue or whatever. I’m interested in where it’s going. We don’t often have the opportunity to host something as prestigious as this. That would be stunning.”
Dave Stewart is a reporter at the SaltWire Network on Prince Edward Island. He can be reached by email at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @DveStewart.
Source: www.saltwire.com
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