NHL Productions unveils a glimpse into the future of hockey with their acclaimed series “Welcome to the NHL.” This award-winning show grants viewers exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the highly anticipated 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft, where the top prospects showcase their talents at the magnificent Sphere in Las Vegas.

The show will premiere on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on NHL Network and ESPN+ in the U.S. Sportsnet 360 will carry the program on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET for fans in Canada. View the trailer here.

The program offers a never-before-seen glimpse into the prospects’ experience in Las Vegas. They are warmly greeted by enthusiastic fans on the red carpet, and even a robot introduces them by name. Inside the Sphere, they eagerly await their selection and promptly meet with media, executives, and team staff right after their names are announced by their respective NHL teams.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed his enthusiasm during the ‘NHL Prospects Welcome Breakfast,’ stating that the timing couldn’t be more perfect for newcomers to enter the game. He encouraged them to take a moment, relax, savor the journey, and build unforgettable memories that will endure forever.

Cameras followed six of the top prospects during the first round: forward Macklin Celebrini (No. 1, San Jose Sharks), forward Cayden Lindstrom (No. 4, Columbus Blue Jackets), defenseman Zayne Parekh (No. 9, Calgary Flames), defenseman Zeev Buium (No. 12, Minnesota Wild), forward Cole Eiserman (No. 20, New York Islanders) and forward Michael Hage (No. 21, Montreal Canadiens). The program captures their anxiety and exhilaration of the NHL draft with their families, friends and advisors.

“I am filled with enthusiasm,” expressed Celebrini, a mere two hours before the commencement of the initial round. “The anticipation has been immense, thus I am thrilled that this day has finally arrived.”

NHL Productions not only captures the exhilaration experienced by Celebrini, but also the touching moment inside Sphere where the prospects and their families share their emotions as their names are announced. We discover the significance of Hage’s attire, honoring his late father Alain who passed away in the summer of 2023, and the exact number of family members who joined in the jubilation after Eiserman was selected.

The remarkable bond between Lindstrom and his mom, Trisha, was truly something special to witness.

Lindstrom expressed that it is truly amazing to originate from a small town like Chetwynd, British Columbia, and ultimately find oneself in Vegas.

During the second day of the draft, which encompassed rounds 2-7, three players stood out from the rest: Max Plante, a forward selected by the Detroit Red Wings, Carter George, a goalie chosen by the Los Angeles Kings, and Kevin He, a forward drafted by the Winnipeg Jets.

The NHL set a precedent by being the first sports league to utilize the globe-shaped arena with a seating capacity of 18,600. This remarkable venue is distinguished for its cutting-edge video and audio technology, wraparound interior LED screen, and outdoor LED displays.

You can catch a replay of “Welcome to the NHL” on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET on NHLN and SN360 respectively. Additionally, there will be another replay on Monday at 7 p.m. ET on SN1.

Fans can also tune in to the NHL Studios podcast “NHL Draft Class” for more information on the top prospects. The podcast is free, and listeners can subscribe on all podcast platforms, including iTunes and Spotify. It also is available on NHL.com/multimedia/podcasts and the NHL app.