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Dierks Bentley is gearing up to host the 2023 NHL Awards, and he shared a few behind-the-scenes photos of rehearsals for the highly-anticipated event, including with “the best cohost,” his son Knox.
Bentley, a longtime hockey fan, was revealed as the host of the awards show earlier this month. It’s slated for Monday evening (June 26) at Bridgestone Arena in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
“Hockey plays a big part of my daily life,” Bentley said, per a press release issued when the country music giant was announced as the host of the show. “I’ve been to rinks all over the country with my travel hockey son. I coach his spring league games and spend hours in the local hockey store, telling him, 'No, you do not need a new stick!' We love watching YouTube highlight reels, the whole family loves going to Nashville Predators games and watching the Stanley Cup Final together. And, I am a proud member of a beer league team here in Nashville. To get to add NHL Awards host to this list is truly an honor.”
Bentley is one of several country stars who will take part in the 2023 NHL Awards. The star-studded list of presenters includes Jessie James Decker, LOCASH, Dustin Lynch, Trevor Rosen of Old Dominion, Darius Rucker, Jelly Roll and Trisha Yearwood, the NHL previously announced. The NHL announcement also included Hockey Hall of Famers Willie O'Ree and Mark Messier, Nashville Predators legend Pekka Rinne, Olympic medalist Sarah Nurse, Predators General Manager David Poile, comedian Nate Bargatze, WWE Superstar Sheamus, and broadcasters David Amber, Caroline Cameron and Anson Carter as NHL Awards presenters. Brett Kissel, MacKenzie Porter and Alana Springsteen are among artists set for special appearances. Knox, 9, has the official title as “special correspondent,” reads the NHL press release issued last week.
The 2023 NHL Awards will reveal winners of 13 regular-season award categories (including most valuable player, outstanding rookie and others). It will broadcast live from Bridgestone Arena on TNT, Sportsnet and TVA Sports at 8 p.m. ET, per the NHL. See Bentley’s rehearsal photos with Knox here: