Nashville Predators center Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates with center Derek Roy (21), defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) and center Craig Smith (15) after Forsberg scored against the Calgary Flames in the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) (The Associated Press)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A person with knowledge of the decision says the NHL has picked Nashville to host the 2016 All Star game.
The person spoke to The Associated Press Wednesday on condition of anonymity, confirming multiple reports about the game, because neither the NHL nor the Nashville Predators have publicly announced the decision.
The NHL has scheduled a news conference for Friday morning in Nashville where Commissioner Gary Bettman is expected to make the formal announcement.
The Predators hosted the NHL's entry draft in 2003 and have been on a short list to host the All Star game. But Nashville needed a bigger downtown convention center to host all the festivities connected with the All Star game. The Music City Center opened in May 2013.
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AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow contributed to this report from Buffalo.
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