LAS VEGAS — Hockey has never been hotter in Las Vegas, a destination typically not known for winter sports. But thanks to the upcoming 2017 NHL Awards and the brand new Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL’s 31st team, the buzz around Vegas has been all about hockey.

The NHL Awards, which will be televised live in Canada on June 21 on Sportsnet at 7:30 p.m ET/4:30 p.m. PT, will honour the top individual regular-season performances in a wide range of categories, including most valuable player, outstanding goaltender and outstanding rookie. This will be the eighth time the Awards will take place in Las Vegas, and the first time at the T-Mobile Arena.

It was also announced that the NHL Expansion Draft, a special event revealing the initial roster of the Golden Knights, will be incorporated into the Awards show. The show will highlight team Majority Owner Bill Foley, General Manager George McPhee, Head Coach Gerard Gallant as well as reveal its 30 selections to the team’s roster.

“We are thrilled to be in Las Vegas again for the NHL Awards,” said Steve Mayer, NHL Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President. “To be able to pair this perennial show with the excitement of the expansion draft for the Vegas Golden Knights is a unique opportunity that we think our fans will enjoy greatly.”

On the Golden Knights’ historic beginnings, Vegas Golden Knights Chairman and CEO Bill Foley said: The anticipation around the Expansion Draft has been building for months and that excitement will continue to grow as we get closer to Draft Day. By combining the draft with the NHL Awards, Golden Knights fans will get to experience the monumental day in our team’s history while enjoying one of the premier NHL events that features the game’s biggest stars.”

Tickets to the 2017 NHL Awards & NHL Expansion Draft will be available for purchase to the general public beginning on May 3 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Encore at Wynn Las Vegas will serve as NHL Headquarters during the 2017 NHL Awards & NHL Expansion Draft.