ECHL Colorado Eagles

Colorado Eagles to Host 2013 ECHL All-Star Game

February 24, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles and the ECHL announced this evening that the team will host the league's All-Star game next season, bringing some of the world's finest hockey players to Northern Colorado in January of 2013. The Budweiser Events Center will host the All-Star game, presented by Poudre Valley Health System, on Wednesday, January 23.

"Being able to host one of the league's biggest events is an honor, and we're looking forward to putting on a great game," said Eagles president, Chris Stewart. "We hope to draw from our previous experience hosting an All-Star game and will make this one even bigger and better -- something the league and all of its members will be proud to participate in. We're extremely excited to be bringing another marquee event to Northern Colorado!"

When the Eagles hosted the CHL's All-Star game in 2009, they helped introduce a format that has since been adopted by several other leagues -- including the ECHL -- in which the host team takes on a team comprised of all-stars from the rest of the league's clubs. The 2013 edition will follow the same format.

"The 2013 All-Star event takes on special significance," said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. "This will be the marquee event in our 25th Anniversary season. We are honored that Colorado will host the event as the Eagles celebrate their 10th season of professional hockey. ECHL fans, players and guests will be treated to a first-class event by the Eagles and the Budweiser Events Center."

Rick Hontz, General Manager of Budweiser Events Center and Regional Vice-President for Global Spectrum said of the event, "As all of Northern Colorado witnessed in 2009, an All-Star game is a major undertaking and brings a large amount of notoriety to the area. The Colorado Eagles are again proving what a huge asset they are to our region, as even before their first season concludes in the ECHL, they are bringing one of the league's capstone events to Loveland." According to the league, the past eight ECHL All-Star games have generated over $1 million each for their local economies.

The midseason showcase is attended by representatives from the NHL & AHL, and has produced more than 50 players who have gone on to play in the NHL -- 39 since 2002! The first ECHL All-Star game was played in 1993, and one has been held every year since, except for this season. The Bakersfield Condors held the previous ECHL All-Star game in 2011, losing to the All-Star team in the league's first "home team vs. All-Stars" format. The Eagles defeated the CHL All-Stars, 8-4, in 2009.

"We'd like to congratulate to the Colorado Eagles for bringing the ECHL All-Star game to Northern Colorado in only their second year with the new league," said Rulon Stacey, CEO of Poudre Valley Health System, the game's presenting sponsor. "Poudre Valley Health System is proud to help the team stay healthy as it continues its sponsorship of the Eagles and the All-Star game. We can't wait to see the action on the ice!"

More information about the league's All-Star week festivities, including ticket information, related events & broadcast details, will be announced this summer.

Check out the Colorado Eagles Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 24, 2012


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