NASHVILLE -- The NHL All-Star game will be in Nashville in 2016, and Music City is ready to roll out the red carpet for the showcase event.
Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the game Friday at a news conference at Bridgestone Arena, home to the Nashville Predators. The All-Star events will take place Jan. 30 and 31.
"It's not too far back to remember that Nashville was a terrific host for the 2003 NHL draft, and we know if that's any indication of what to expect it's going to be wonderful," Bettman said.
Bettman said officials both with the Predators and Nashville have been asking to host the All-Star game for years. With Bridgestone Americas CEO Gary Garfield on hand, Bettman said he knows the next question he'll be asked is when Nashville hosts a Winter Classic game.
"Let's do them one at a time," Bettman said. "Let's get through the All-Star game first, and then we can have that discussion."
The Predators hosted the NHL's entry draft in 2003 and have been on a short list to host the All-Star game. But Nashville needed a bigger downtown convention centre to host all the festivities connected with the game. The Music City Center opened in May 2013.
Nashville hosted the Women's Final Four in April and is a finalist to host again between 2017 and 2020 at Bridgestone Arena, home of the Predators since their inaugural season in 1998-99. The arena also is to host the Southeastern Conference men's basketball tournament nine of the next 10 years starting in March.
This is validation for local ownership that bought the Predators in 2007 amid speculation over the franchise's future in Nashville. Predators chairman Tom Cigarran said he stepped up in 2007 for the good of the city to avoid losing a major league franchise.
"It's hard to imagine or think back to 2010," Cigarran said. "This franchise was struggling, and it's come a long way. We're no longer struggling. This franchise is going to be in this city forever."
