Nationwide Arena and the Columbus Blue Jackets will host the 2007 NHL Entry Draft this weekend, and the Arena District will be celebrating with other hockey-themed and fun-filled events.

“Columbus’ strong fan base and interest in hockey made it a perfect time for the Blue Jackets to host the draft,” says Kerry McGovern, NHL publicist.

At the National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, amateur players aged 18 to 20 enter the league by being systematically selected by teams who get one pick for each of the seven rounds.

The first round of the draft starts Friday, June 22 at 7 p.m. Doors open for season-ticket holders at 5:30 p.m., and general admission patrons at 6:15 p.m. Tickets to the draft are free to the public and are available online at www.bluejackets.com or at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office and at all The Blueline locations.

Columbus has the seventh pick of the draft, which means that Blue Jackets fans will not have to wait long to cheer for their team’s first-round selection.

Before the big event, a Draft Bash will be held at Battelle Plaza in front of the arena from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Rock band Yellowcard will perform a free, live concert at 5 p.m., and food and drinks will be available. In addition, Blue Jackets mascot Stinger will mingle with fans as they participate in several hockey-themed interactive activities.

The second through seventh rounds of the draft will be held on Saturday, June 23 at 10 a.m., and seating opens to all at 9 a.m. The Blue Jackets will also host two autograph sessions with several of their players and top prospects at 10 and 11 a.m.

McGovern says there is an advantage to seeing the draft in person. “Attending the NHL Draft live allows someone to see first-hand the beginning of a young athlete's dreams to make the NHL,” he says. “An attendee can sit right in the stands with draft hopefuls and their families and witness on the arena floor the complete front offices of 30 NHL teams as they complete a year's worth of scouting efforts and meetings.”

Hosting the NHL Entry Draft benefits Columbus in many ways. The draft is expected to attract more than 3,000 visitors and 500 media personnel to Columbus, which will account for approximately $3 million in visitor spending. Linda Logan, executive director for Greater Columbus Sports Commission, says that hockey fans across North America who have their “eyes on Columbus” will notice that Columbus has a “great passion for the sport.”

The biggest and most powerful names in hockey are going to be experiencing Columbus first-hand. “We’re going to have the who’s who of hockey in town seeing what a great place Columbus is,” Logan adds.

This will also build the résumé of hosted events at Nationwide Arena, which Logan says will help attract more events in the future. The long-term benefit is “planting those seeds of how great of a destination [Columbus] is.”

Part of the reason this “hockey-friendly place” was awarded the rights to host the draft, Logan says, is because of Nationwide Arena’s success with previous hockey events, such as hosting Team USA’s World Cup of Hockey training camp in 2004 and hosting a record crowd for the seventh-annual Willie O’Ree All-Star Game in 2002.

The Stanley Cup will also be at Nationwide Arena over the weekend as part of the Trading Card and Memorabilia Show, which will feature other NHL trophies, unique collectables and the ability to make personally customized NHL Draft trading cards.

The Blue Jackets will unveil their new uniforms for next season moments before the start of the draft. The new Rbk Edge uniforms, first worn by players at this year’s NHL All-Star Game, are more breathable, resistant to water and allow more flexibility. Every NHL team will be wearing the new uniforms next year, but the Blue Jackets will be one of the first three teams to unveil them.

Visit the official Columbus Blue Jackets Web site for more information about the NHL Entry Draft, ticket ordering and updated news about the two-day festivities at www.bluejackets.com.