From the 'Puck-Rakers' blog
The Blue Jackets could learn as soon as today that they’ll host the 2013 NHL All-Star Game in Nationwide Arena, two sources told The Dispatch last night. An official announcement is expected today after the NHL’s Board of Governors meet in Ottawa, Ont., site of this year’s mid-season gala, set for Sunday.
Officials from the Blue Jackets and the Columbus Sports Commission are in Ottawa for today's expected announcement.
Blue Jackets spokesman Todd Sharrock said the club would not comment. Neither club president Mike Priest nor general manager Scott Howson responded to messages left last night by The Dispatch seeking confirmation.
The game could generate $15 million to $25 million in revenue for Columbus, based on economic impact studies done by cities that have hosted previously.
The Blue Jackets applied to host the game in 2013, 2014 or 2015, although the ’14 game might not be played if NHL players are sent to compete in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
One source told The Dispatch last night that the Blue Jackets – in the midst of the worst season in franchise history, and in dire need of good news – were informed yesterday by the league that they would be the host city next season.
The game is one of the NHL’s marquee events and would be, possibly, one of the most significant events ever hosted in the city.
In the past, the NHL would not approve Columbus as a host for the game because the area around Nationwide Arena lacked a sufficient number of high-end hotel rooms needed to house sponsors, celebrities, players, etc. But a 500-room Hilton, being built just blocks from Nationwide Arena, is planned for completion by Sept. 2012, a month before the 2012-13 season opens.
Also, the league informed Columbus two years ago that it would not be considered as a host city until it achieved financial stability in the form of a new lease agreement.
That agreement was struck last month, when Franklin County commissioners approved a plan in which money from the still-under-construction West Side casino will be used by Franklin County to buy Nationwide Arena. In return, Nationwide has assumed a 30 percent ownership stake in the franchise.
On Thursday, Blue Jackets majority owner John P. McConnell told The Dispatch that while the deal isn’t complete yet, all that’s left is paper work.
“I know of no issues that are going to prevent it from getting done,” he said.
The Blue Jackets and Columbus proved itself to the NHL in 2007 when it hosted the NHL entry draft.
-- Aaron Portzline
twitter; @aportzline
