Overview

• The league’s first decentralized draft in June 2025 featured teams operating remotely from their home cities instead of convening at a single venue
• Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed strong club support for the remote model, highlighting streamlined access to hockey operations personnel
• Elite Prospects reporter Cam Robinson says a majority of general managers have voted to keep the draft decentralized, though the league has not yet made an official announcement
• Fans widely criticized the virtual setup as lacking the live-event atmosphere, likening it to a “Zoom call” experience
• League executives including president of content Steve Mayer have defended efforts to enhance the remote format, and some GMs like Bill Zito have noted benefits in both centralized and decentralized approaches