Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel vowed Thursday to duplicate the "interactive outdoor festival he created" for last year's NFL Draft when the city host's the '17 NHL Draft, but he "insisted it would not cost beleaguered taxpayers a dime," according to Fran Spielman of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. He mentioned when formally announcing Chicago landed the event raising money privately to "defray security, traffic control and other costs associated" with it. However, Emanuel "refused to say precisely how much money he had agreed to raise, fees that would be waived or streets that would be closed to accommodate an NHL version of the 'draft town' that the NFL created for fans in Grant Park." Mayoral spokesperson Grant Klinzman said that the private donations would be "raised through the convention and tourism agency known as Choose Chicago" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/12). Emanuel: "Just like the NFL, it will be viewed around the world and that's advertising you can't pay for -- from Canada to the Czech Republic to Finland to France from Switzerland. People will be seeing the city of Chicago. ... It will be a huge economic and job thing (with) no taxpayers financial support" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/12). Blackhawks President & CEO John McDonough said that he "wants the draft to be 'entertaining, innovative and memorable.'" In Chicago, John Dietz notes Chicago will "become the 16th U.S. city to host the event." This year's draft will be in Buffalo (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 2/12).
TAKE IT OR LEAF IT: In Toronto, Kevin McGran the Blackhawks landing the '17 Draft is the latest marquee event to be awarded, following the Kings getting '17 All-Star Game and the Blues reportedly hosting the Winter Classic He asked, "And the Maple Leafs? Celebrating their 100th season? They're getting what? The shaft?" Toronto is the NHL's "biggest market," but the "optics are terrible" right now. McGran: "It appears to be taken for granted." The Maple Leafs are "looking more and more like the Rodney Dangerfield's of the NHL" (TORONTOSTAR.com, 2/11). Also in Toronto, Mike Zeisberger writes, "So much for Tim Leiweke's grand celebration plans for the Maple Leaf Centennial celebrations." The NHL believes that since Toronto is hosting the World Cup of Hockey in September, it is already "getting a major event as part of the special year for the Leafs." Outside of that, the "best bet for Toronto seems to be an outdoor game at BMO Field." It is notable that the Canadiens in their centennial season of '08-09 "played host to both the all-star game and the draft" (TORONTO SUN, 2/12).
