Dierks Bentley is slated to host the 2023 NHL Awards, the National Hockey League revealed on Thursday morning (June 1). The country music giant and longtime fan of the sport, who has previously served as a headlining performer at the event, will return for the show later this month at Bridgestone Arena in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

Bentley shared a video on his social media channels, showing that hockey has turned into an inescapable part of his life. The Gravel & Gold megastar said he loves watching and playing the sport, in addition to being a “travel hockey dad, hitting rinks all over the country. Even on vacation, hockey finds a way to be part of our lives.” He tilted his camera to show that he was in the midst of a game with his son as he made the announcement.

“Hockey plays a big part of my daily life,” Bentley said, per a press release issued on Thursday. “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.”

NHL activities will take place in Nashville throughout the week, leading up to the 2023 NHL Awards on Monday, June 26, according to the NHL announcement. The NHL will also team up with the City of Nashville and the Nashville Predators for the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, hosted at Bridgestone Arena on June 28 and June 29.

“We can’t wait to celebrate the NHL’s best and brightest with the best of country music in Nashville,” NHL Chief Content Officer and Senior Executive Vice President Steve Mayer said in the release. “Dierks has rocked our stage over the years as a headline performer, and we’re so happy to welcome him as host of this year’s NHL Awards.”

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. Watch Bentley’s announcement here:

Travis