The NHL Draft is headed back to the City of Angels on June 27 and 28 at the Peacock Theater.

“To confirm what is probably the worst-kept secret on the face of the earth, the 2025 NHL Upper Deck Draft will be held here in Los Angeles,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. “We’re thrilled to be back in L.A.”

This is the second time the league’s amateur draft will take place in Los Angeles. In 2010, it unfolded within the confines of the edifice then known as Staples Center.

“The NHL Draft is an amazing showcase of the future stars of the National Hockey League, so it’s only fitting for it to be held in Los Angeles — a city filled with stars,” President of NHL Events & Content Steve Mayer said in a statement.

Regardless of the site, this year’s draft was to differ in format, as the NHL Board of Governors opted to decentralize the draft.

“This is going to be different from the way we have historically conducted the draft, the change was made at the request of the clubs,” Bettman said at the arena. “The prospects will be here with us in Los Angeles, not with the clubs that are proposing to draft them.”

As Bettman alluded to in his “worst kept secret” comment, there were murmurs for much of the season that Los Angeles would be the site, though the devastating fires in January further elevated those prospects.

“We were focused on L.A., but this made it a priority, and important,” Bettman said.

The draft will cap off a campaign that has had more than just the standard fare.

The 4 Nations Face-Off exceeded expectations in terms of quality and popularity alike. Chicago’s Wrigley Field hosted one outdoor game and “The Horse Shoe” in Columbus will soon host another. The home stretch could see Alex Ovechkin equal or surpass Wayne Gretzky’s record for career goals.

“We were on every ancillary program. Finally, we were the focus, we were the headline, and that’s super for us,” Mayer said at the arena. “There are some stars that came out of 4 Nations, so we need to continue to build those stars and put them out there.”

Bettman and Mayer were asked about potential outdoor games in the area, and said another outdoor event in Southern California was “on the list of things to discuss.”

For now, it’ll be the entry draft.

The Kings plucked a gem out of the 2010 crop with second-rounder Tyler Toffoli, who was instrumental in their 2014 Stanley Cup championship.

Kings President Luc Robitaille said in a statement that the franchise was “honored and excited” to be selected as hosts.

“We would like to thank the NHL for working with us to present this event in its latest format and showcase the future stars of our sport to our great fans and the entire hockey community,” Robitaille said.