PokerStars teams with the NHL

The NHL and PokerStars; who would have thought it?

The National Hockey League is heading to Las Vegas for the 2009 NHL Awards and PokerStars.net is coming along for the ride.

In a press conference at the Palms Hotel Monday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league will be holding its annual awards ceremony inside the hotel's Pearl Concert Theater June 18.

Plus, the league plans to host a charity poker tournament in partnership with PokerStars.net one day earlier.

Dubbed the NHL Charity Shootout Presented by Pokerstars.net, a number of celebrities and professional athletes, including NHL stars and NHL alumni, are expected to play.

"For years there has been a charitable component to the awards program," said Bettman.

"I am pleased to announce today that the NHL will team with Pokerstars.net and the NHL Players' Association to present [the NHL Charity Shootout] in connection with the 2009 NHL Awards."

Charities to benefit include The Ronald McDonald House in Las Vegas and the NHL Players Association's Goals and Dreams.

Players will also be able to make donations to the charities of their choice.