NHL Visits ESA as Possible Venue for Draft, All-Star Game

RALEIGH — The Triangle is trying to score big with the National Hockey League.

The NHL's director of events inspected the Entertainment and Sports Arena Wednesday.

The ESA is being considered for the 2003 draft -- an event which draws hundreds of team representatives, players and reporters.

"The entire NHL community comes in for what is essentially a very large business meeting that's open to the public. [The NHL] looks at that and the success of the event as perhaps a springboard for other things," says Frank Supovitz, NHL event director.

Local business leaders and the Carolina Hurricanes hope getting the draft will help bring the NHL All-Star game to the Triangle in 2004.