The Los Angeles Kings will officially be the hosts for the 2017 NHL All-Star Game, and Staples Center will be the site of the game and all its festivities, the NHL announced Saturday.
In his yearly address at the league’s All-Star Game, this year in Nashville Commissioner Gary Bettman officially confirmed that the game would be headed to the Los Angeles next year.
The game coincides with the Kings’ 50th anniversary as a franchise; something Bettman admitted played a part in awarding the game to the City of Angels. Bettman also talked about the important role Staples Center has played in the development of downtown LA.
The dates for the event are Jan. 28, 2017 when the skills challenges will take place, and Jan. 29 when the star-studded matchup between the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference will occur.
This will be third time that the All-Star Game will be played in Los Angeles. The Kings, who have recently won Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014 and boast two All-Star players this year, hosted the midseason affair in 1981 and in 2002.
