The 2012 NHL draft is coming to the city of Pittsburgh next June at the CONSOL Energy Center.
The last time Pittsburgh hosted the draft was in 1997, a 15-year hiatus, and that took place in the Civic Arena. The Penguins, by the way, had a horrible draft that year, selecting Robert Dome in the first round. The only two other NHL regulars they managed to draft were Joseph Melichar and Andrew Ference. Yikes.
As for Consol Engery Center and the city of Pittsburgh getting the draft, it just speaks volumes to how much this city and that arena is respected. Consol Engergy Center is a beautiful state of the art arena and it isn't just used for hockey games, nor should it be. It has already hosted a number of big-name concerts and is scheduled to host the NCAA frozen four and now the 2012 NHL draft.
Those who were against the arena being built just thought of the Penguins and hockey when it was built. Fact is the arena is terrific for the city of Pittsburgh, although most of us would agree that its location is not the best.
The arena has already payed off when it comes to adding revenue and jobs to the city and once they add more business's and establishments by the new arena, the city will see another boom to city.
The man who has made this all possible is Mario Lemieux. Lemieux has save the Penguins' organization so many times he should be allowed to do whatever it is that he wants in this city. When Lemieux was drafted in 1984 the Pens were a horrible team and the franchise was practically dead. Lemieux's greatness and talents allowed fans to be excited about hockey and the future for the Penguins. We all know the rest.
As great of a player that Lemieux was, he's been just as good as an owner. Lemieux has bailed the Penguins' out of bankruptcy, twice, and has built the Penguins into one of the best run organizations in professional sports.
Lemieux has also done a great job of hiring and surrounding himself with great people in the franchise like General Manager Ray Shero, David Morehouse, and Ron Burkle. Also, proper credit is due to Gary Bettman and Luke Ravenstahl.
It is a shame that Lemieux doesn't have a statue of him outside of Consol, and it is a bigger shame that he doesn't want one.
This is what Morehouse had to say about the draft:
The man who has made this all possible is Mario Lemieux. Lemieux has save the Penguins' organization so many times he should be allowed to do whatever it is that he wants in this city. When Lemieux was drafted in 1984 the Pens were a horrible team and the franchise was practically dead. Lemieux's greatness and talents allowed fans to be excited about hockey and the future for the Penguins. We all know the rest.
As great of a player that Lemieux was, he's been just as good as an owner. Lemieux has bailed the Penguins' out of bankruptcy, twice, and has built the Penguins into one of the best run organizations in professional sports.
Lemieux has also done a great job of hiring and surrounding himself with great people in the franchise like General Manager Ray Shero, David Morehouse, and Ron Burkle. Also, proper credit is due to Gary Bettman and Luke Ravenstahl.
It is a shame that Lemieux doesn't have a statue of him outside of Consol, and it is a bigger shame that he doesn't want one.
This is what Morehouse had to say about the draft:
“Pittsburgh again will become the center of the hockey universe for one of the most important weekends on the NHL calendar, as our teams select the next generation of NHL stars,” Morehouse said. “Much as we did with the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, we look forward to turning the week leading up to the draft into a celebration of hockey – especially youth hockey here in Pittsburgh.”
Touching on that even further, I am someone that is and has been involved in hockey in Western Pennsylvania. I've coached youth hockey and participate in local dek and street hockey leagues that do a great job of allowing all types of people play and enjoy their love for the sport of hockey.
The Franklin Hockey League (FHL), which plays its games in Munhall, is a great street hockey league made by guys, mostly from Steel Valley High School and is surrounding area. The league does a great job of giving back to the community, contributing to several charities including the Mario Lemieux foundation.
Hockey is booming in Pittsburgh and all over Western Pennsylvania!
Western Pennsylvania has been know for football for such a long time but hockey is becoming more and more relevant and may indeed become the regions' number one sport 10-15 years from now thanks to Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, and the Pens.
Hockey rules and so does Pittsburgh!
Follow me on Twitter @MadChad412
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