How country star Dierks Bentley went from hockey beer leagues to hosting NHL Awards in Nashville
A $10,000 night at Bridgestone Arena around 17 years ago ranks among Dierks Bentley's favorite memories of the place where he's played plenty of shows and the place where his favorite hockey team plays.
Bentley rented the arena for a night to celebrate his song, "Free and Easy," hitting No. 1 on the country music charts. That wasn't the only reason the country music star rented the arena.
"So basically my beer league (teammates) could skate on Bridgestone ice," Bentley told The Tennessean. "It was an expensive party for myself, but definitely worth it. The guys in the beer league were so stoked we got a chance to do that."
Bentley said he's stoked to be going back at Bridgestone again June 26 for another expensive party. This time it will be a party put on by the NHL, which will kick off draft week with its annual awards show. Bentley, who has 22 No. 1 songs, three CMAs and 14 Grammy nominations, will be the host.
His son Knox will be there, too, hoping to rub elbows with some of his favorite players and the game's biggest stars, such as the Oilers' Connor McDavid.
Thirteen award winners will be announced that night, including the Hart Trophy (league MVP), Vezina Trophy (top goaltender), Norris Trophy (top defenseman) and the Calder Trophy (top rookie).
"We're in Nashville. We've got to play to that passionate fan base, which includes Dierks' family," NHL vice president and chief content officer Steve Mayer said when asked why the league wanted Bentley to host. "It was just a no-brainer from the second we decided to go to Nashville."
Bentley, who said he's been a Predators fan since the day the franchise was born, attended his first game in 1998. With him was a musician friend from Toronto who helped begin Bentley's fascination with playing the sport.
"He's like, 'You can play in a league at Centennial Sportsplex,' " Bentley said. "I couldn't believe it. He gave me some gear and I jumped on a team."
Those late-night games with 11 p.m. starts and 1 a.m. home arrivals lasted for around 12 years, Bentley said, until he and his wife had the second of their three children. But Bentley recently began playing again, thanks mainly to his son's deep interest in the sport.
Though he's performed countless shows on countless stages in front of countless fans, Bentley said he'll still be nervous to run the show on NHL awards night.
"Any time there's a stage involved, and a microphone, I still have a lot of nerves, which I take as a good thing," he said. "It's all about taking the energy and transferring it into something positive.
"I'm representing country music, representing Nashville," he said. "I am a real hockey fan and it's an honor to be involved in these guys' huge night. I'm excited for my son to be involved as well."
Bentley is positive of one thing about awards night, which will be held in the same city as the NHL draft for the first time since 2006 in Vancouver: the party will be on that week.
"They chose Nashville for a reason," Bentley said. "It's the most fun city you can possibly play hockey in. You walk out of Bridgestone Arena and you literally are in the most authentic entertainment district in the country."
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dierks Bentley to host NHL awards night during draft week. Here's why
