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ECHL All-Stars Shine In Ontario

Published on January 27, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release


PRINCETON, N.J. - The first game decided in a shootout and the induction of the third class into the ECHL Hall of Fame highlighted the 2010 ECHL All-Star Game presented by Reebok Hockey and brought to you by Toyota and the City of Ontario.

The American Conference took a 10-9 victory in the 18th Annual ECHL All-Star Game on Jan. 20 at Citizens Business Bank Arena when Justin Donati of the Elmira Jackals scored the decisive goal in the shootout. The 19 goals are the most scored by two teams while the crowd of 7,615 is the fourth largest. The National Conference defeated the American Conference, 11-10, in the 13th Annual ECHL All-Star Skills Competition on Jan. 19.

The MeiGray Group, which is the "Official Game-Worn Jersey Source of the ECHL," is auctioning the Reebok EDGE game-worn jerseys and Sher-Wood Hockey game-used pucks from both the skills competition and the game online at ECHL.comand MeiGray.com.

Showcasing some of the top prospects in the Premier 'AA' Hockey League, the rosters had 22 rookies and 37 of the players were appearing in their first ECHL All-Star Game. Attended by representatives from both the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the game has produced 59 players who have gone on to play in the NHL including 41 since 2002 when the format was changed to feature younger players.

The third class of the ECHL Hall of Fame - Cam Brown, E.A. "Bud" Gingher, Olaf Kolzig and Darryl Noren - were officially inducted during a luncheon with more than 300 guests in attendance at the Hilton Ontario Airport, the official host hotel which was sold out during the event. The featured speaker at the ceremony was Hockey Hall of Fame member and Los Angeles Kings President of Business Operations Luc Robitaille while guests included ECHL Commissioner Emeritus Patrick J. Kelly and Blake Cullen, who were inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Following a video highlighting their accomplishments, each of the inductees was presented an etched crystal award, created by Unique Hockey Gifts & Awards by Aroma's UnCorked, and a Hall of Fame ring.

Photos taken by official photographers, Lee Calkins and Paul Hebert, are available for viewing and purchase at http://iephotosocal.zenfolio.com/

The game was televised live in more than 56 million homes on Altitude Sports & Entertainment, Cable One in Boise, Idaho, DirecTV and Dish Network, B2 Television, Buckeye Cable Sports Network in Ohio, Fox Sports West, GCI in Alaska and Metro Sports in Kansas City. It was rebroadcast on Altitude Sports & Entertainment, Bright House Sports Network, Comcast SportsNet, Cox Sports and New England Sports Network. B2 Television is powered by One World Sports on America One and is available in more than 44 million households in over 125 markets. Jack Michaels of the Alaska Aces was the play-by-play announcer with veteran NHL analyst Neil Smith doing color commentary for the ninth year in a row and Doug Plagens of the Idaho Steelheads working at ice level interviewing players, coaches and representatives from the ECHL and the National Hockey League.

Fans across the globe were able to watch both the skills competition and the game online at B2CableTV.com courtesy of B2 Networks, the "Official Broadband Broadcast Provider of the ECHL."

Produced by Doug Lane of NHL Radio the audio broadcast was available on XM Satellite Radio, marking the fifth consecutive year that the nation's leading satellite radio service has carried the game, as well as on KGEO-AM 1230 in Bakersfield, Calif., 350 KTIK The Ticket in Boise, Idaho, KJQS-AM 1230 in Salt Lake City, KSTN 1420-AM in Stockton, Calif., WLKM-FM in Three Rivers, Mich. and Fox Sports Radio 1230-WCWA in Toledo, Ohio. The audio broadcast featured Mike Benton of the Stockton Thunder, Mike Modugno of the Kalamazoo Wings and Joseph Zakrzewski of the South Carolina Stingrays.

Fans had the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the Stanley Cup and the Patrick J. Kelly Cup which were both on display at all events including the All-Star Fan Fest at Dave & Buster's.

The winner of the Toyota's "Trip for Two" contest, Idaho Steelheads season ticket holder Bob Hensel and his guest, Wes Fenlason, attended all of the All-Star events and stayed at the Hilton Ontario Airport, the official host hotel of the 2010 ECHL All-Star Game, courtesy of Toyota.

14-year-old singer-songwriter Jessarae performed prior to the game and at the postgame VIP reception in the San Manuel Club in Citizens Business Bank Arena catered by Levy Restaurants.

The past eight ECHL All-Star Games have generated more than $1 million each for the local economy as guests, players, coaches and fans occupy hundreds of hotel rooms and spend three days in the host city.

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ECHL Stories from January 27, 2010


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