Gary Bettman Breaks Silence on NHL Fans’ Draft Night Ritual

Gary Bettman and the Tradition of Boos

A Familiar Soundtrack to the NHL Draft

Every year, as the NHL Draft unfolds with excitement and anticipation, there is one moment fans can count on: the loud and resounding boos that greet Commissioner Gary Bettman as he walks onto the stage.¹

It’s become so routine that the draft wouldn’t feel complete without it. The chorus of disapproval isn’t subtle—it’s often so deafening that it nearly drowns out Bettman’s attempts to speak. Yet for all the noise, the man at the center of it seems unfazed.

Bettman, who has served as the NHL’s commissioner for over 32 years, is no stranger to controversy.

His tenure has seen incredible highs—expansion franchises, global outreach, outdoor games, and record revenues—but also some low points that fans have never quite forgiven.

Working to make the NHL the worlds #1 water sport!

— Gary Bettman (@Gary_Bettman) September 21, 2011

Why the Boos Began: A Look Back at the 2004–05 Lockout

To understand the root of this tradition, we have to revisit the 2004–05 NHL lockout—a moment that left deep scars.

That season was completely canceled due to a labor dispute, marking the first time a major North American professional sports league lost an entire season over a labor conflict.

Bettman was front and center during the dispute, advocating for a salary cap to ensure long-term financial stability.

While many owners and executives supported him, fans viewed the canceled season as a betrayal. The lockout turned casual grumbling into outright hostility, and the boos that followed him post-lockout have only grown louder with time.

The Stanley Cup Booing Phenomenon

It’s not just the NHL Draft that sees Bettman met with disapproval. Each year during the Stanley Cup presentation, when he hands over the coveted trophy to the championship-winning captain, fans in the arena again unleash a wave of boos.

The optics are often awkward—while players celebrate the pinnacle of their careers, the background noise is one of disdain for the league’s most powerful executive.

For many fans, this moment is symbolic: Bettman, despite being the face of the NHL, is not considered a beloved figure.

The consistent booing during such a celebratory moment highlights a deep emotional disconnect between the league office and the fans. It’s become part performance, part protest, and entirely predictable.

Gary Bettman’s Perspective

Boos as a Badge of Attention

In a candid moment during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on a Tuesday in July 2025, Bettman was asked about the annual barrage of boos.²

His response? Calm, calculated, and even somewhat humorous.

“If they ignored me I would be concerned. If I’m getting booed it means they’re paying attention,” Bettman said.

To Bettman, the booing isn’t just an expression of dislike—it’s a sign that fans care deeply about the sport.

While that might be a glass-half-full interpretation, it does show that he’s learned to live with, and even embrace, the role of the “villain” in the NHL’s narrative.

The 2025 Draft: New Format, Same Response

This year’s NHL Draft was unique in many ways. Held in Los Angeles, it was the league’s first decentralized draft—meaning the teams were not gathered together in a single arena.

Instead, team executives participated from remote locations, while fans in LA witnessed a studio-style production. Adding to the novelty was the February announcement that Bettman would personally announce every first-round pick.

The idea, likely intended to streamline the process and give the draft a more official, league-branded feel, had the opposite effect among fans. Instead of appreciating the commissioner’s involvement, many viewed it as another reason to voice their displeasure—louder than ever.

Yet Bettman remained optimistic about the overall event.

“We had a good time,” he told McAfee. “I think the people in L.A. who attended the draft had a good time. … It was a lot of fun.”

Gary Bettman: Team Relocations

Another Source of Resentment

Over Bettman’s long tenure, several teams have been relocated, sparking outrage from passionate fanbases.³

While the NHL has seen some successful expansions—like the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken—other decisions have been far more contentious.

Cities like Quebec City, Hartford, and Atlanta have lost their teams under Bettman’s watch. Though relocation is often tied to financial struggles and market viability, the emotional toll on fans is immeasurable.

These decisions, justified from a business standpoint, are seen by many as cold and dismissive of tradition. That resentment often finds a voice in the form of boos.

Rule Changes and Controversial Policies

Aside from labor disputes and team movements, Bettman has overseen a variety of rule changes that haven’t always been met with approval.

From tweaks to the offside rule and changes to overtime formats, to alterations in the way hits and fighting are policed, every decision has drawn scrutiny.

While many of these changes were made to improve player safety or enhance the entertainment value of the game, hardcore fans—especially traditionalists—have sometimes viewed them as unnecessary meddling.

The “Bettman Era” has come to symbolize both evolution and alienation, depending on who you ask.

The Booing Becomes Tradition

What began as spontaneous frustration in the mid-2000s has now become an expected tradition. At this point, many fans boo Bettman not out of anger, but out of ritual.

Much like singing the national anthem or cheering the first goal, booing the commissioner has become part of the NHL culture.

Ironically, the act has transcended the original reasons for the dislike. Many younger fans who never experienced the 2004–05 lockout still participate—because it’s what fans do. It’s a passing of the torch from one generation of discontent to the next.

Whispers of Retirement: Will the Boos End?

In January 2025, rumors began swirling about Gary Bettman’s potential retirement. While nothing has been confirmed, the discussions raised an intriguing question: when he finally steps down, will the booing end?

It’s likely that whenever Bettman leaves, his departure will be met with both applause and, paradoxically, more boos. His legacy is so intertwined with the modern NHL that fans may need time to reorient their emotions.

A successor will inherit a league in solid financial shape but also one where fans demand greater transparency and connection.

The 2025 NHL Draft, the 33rd conducted under Commissioner Gary Bettman’s leadership, has sparked intense debate across the hockey community.

From media insiders to former players, the changes implemented this year—particularly the shift to a decentralized format—have drawn both praise and ridicule.

On the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, former NHL players Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney didn’t hold back as they shared their unfiltered thoughts on the event’s execution. Let’s dive into the major points of contention and celebration surrounding this controversial draft.

A Radical Shift: The Move to a Decentralized Format

For the first time in NHL history, the draft was conducted in a decentralized fashion. Teams did not gather in a central arena; instead, they operated from their respective facilities, connecting virtually to make selections.

The NHL had pitched this change as a more efficient, cost-effective way to handle the draft in the modern era.

However, critics argue that the new format sacrificed the spirit and spectacle of the event. Fans were deprived of the usual buzz surrounding live announcements, and players missed out on the magical walk to the stage, jersey presentation, and handshake with the commissioner.

Ryan Whitney was especially vocal, calling it a “comedy show” and referring to the execution as “an absolute goon squad of errors.”

Bissonnette Balances the Scale: Finding the Silver Lining

Paul Bissonnette, co-host of the podcast and former NHL tough guy, offered a more balanced view.

While he agreed with Whitney that certain aspects of the draft were flawed—particularly the choppy Zoom interviews—he didn’t think it was a complete disaster.

In fact, Bissonnette highlighted one moment as particularly moving and successful: the live reaction of Matthew Schaefer upon being drafted first overall by the New York Islanders. Watching that interaction in real-time, Bissonnette said, made the whole thing worthwhile.

“For that moment alone, I felt like it was worth it,” he said.

This single event seemed to capture the emotional core of what a draft should be, regardless of format.

The Schaefer Moment: Heartfelt and Human

Matthew Schaefer, the talented defenseman from the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, was chosen first overall by the Islanders.

His raw, emotional reaction while surrounded by his family captured hearts across the hockey world. The Islanders’ Zoom call with Schaefer—filled with cheers, tears, and smiles—quickly went viral on social media.

Bettman’s announcement of the pick, followed by Schaefer’s emotional response, helped salvage what many saw as a chaotic draft. It was a reminder of the human side of the sport: dreams being realized, families celebrating years of sacrifice, and the birth of new beginnings.

Gary Bettman: Fan Reactions

Mixed but Loud

On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Instagram, fans voiced a wide range of opinions.

Some appreciated the attempt at modernization and said the virtual format gave more personal insights into draftees’ home environments.

Others echoed Whitney’s sentiment, calling it a logistical disaster and a poor representation of the league.

A recurring theme in the comments was the desire for a hybrid model—one that retains the intimacy of home-based celebrations while still allowing top prospects and team reps to gather in a central, festive location.

What Went Wrong: A Breakdown of Mistakes

Multiple issues plagued the draft:

• Inconsistent video feeds: Some team cameras cut out or showed blank screens during picks.

• Delayed pick announcements: Timing was off, with some announcements coming minutes after the countdown expired.

• Technical difficulties: Mics didn’t work, video lag was rampant, and a few prospects weren’t visible during interviews.

• Lack of excitement: The sterile virtual setup failed to generate energy or hype.

These problems made the event feel more like a corporate meeting than a celebration of future NHL stars.

What Went Right: Bright Spots Amid the Chaos

Despite the chaos, a few elements did shine:

• Personal family celebrations: Fans got an inside look at the joy in players’ homes, from proud parents to emotional siblings.

• Humanizing the players: The home setup gave viewers a glimpse into the lives of these young men beyond their stats.

• The Schaefer-Islanders interaction: It became an instant classic moment for the league.

While the format may not have lived up to expectations, it wasn’t a complete failure—and the NHL now has feedback to build upon.

Will the NHL Learn from This?

The league now faces a critical decision for future drafts. Will it continue with the decentralized format, double down on cost-saving, or revert to the traditional in-person model that fans and insiders seem to prefer?

A hybrid approach could strike the right balance—allowing for centralized moments with key prospects and their families while keeping logistics manageable.

The NHL must weigh the financial benefits against the cultural and emotional losses of abandoning a beloved format.