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Lehigh Valley Phantoms to Host 2017 AHL All-Star Classic

April 9, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Lehigh Valley Phantoms News Release

Lehigh Valley, PA - American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced today that the Lehigh Valley Phantoms have been selected to host the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic.

The 2017 AHL All-Star Classic weekend will include a Phan Fest & Tailgate Party on Saturday, January 28, followed by the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, January 29, and the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony and the 2017 AHL All-Star Game on Monday, January 30.

"We are proud of the success of the Phantoms in quickly building one of the strongest and most vibrant fan bases in the AHL," said Andrews. "The beautiful PPL Center and surrounding amenities will provide a fantastic home for the AHL All-Star Classic, and we look forward to showcasing our best players, our rich history and the Lehigh Valley to fans from around the league and an international television audience next January."

"Being selected to host the AHL All-Star Classic is a huge honor and we are excited for the positive impact it will have on our community," said Phantoms co-owner/governor Jim Brooks. "We look forward to spotlighting the Lehigh Valley and showcasing the premier talent of the AHL on an international stage."

"We would like to thank our fans, supporters and talented staff for creating a fun and energetic atmosphere within the PPL Center that has been noticed by the American Hockey League," added Phantoms co-owner/governor Rob Brooks.

The American Hockey League will host a media availability session with David Andrews, Jim Brooks and Rob Brooks this evening at 6:00 p.m., on the John Walson Jr. Press Level at PPL Center, and the event logo for the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic will be unveiled prior to the Phantoms' home game tonight against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Tickets for the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic weekend are on sale now. Tickets start at $67 and include admission to Saturday's Phan Fest & Tailgate Party, Sunday's All-Star Skills Competition and Monday's All-Star Game. To purchase tickets to the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic, visit www.phantomshockey.com or www.pplcenter.com.

The 2017 AHL All-Star Classic will feature the top young talent in the American Hockey League: since 1995, more than 93 percent of All-Star Classic participants have gone on to compete in the National Hockey League, including Patrice Bergeron, Ben Bishop, Troy Brouwer, Ryan Callahan, Zdeno Chara, Logan Couture, Jiri Hudler, Tyler Johnson, Chris Kunitz, Ryan Miller, Gustav Nyquist, Zach Parise, Tuukka Rask, Pekka Rinne, Bobby Ryan, Martin St. Louis, Cory Schneider, Patrick Sharp, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, P.K. Subban and Mats Zuccarello.

In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 88 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the 15th year in a row, more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games across North America in 2015-16.

The Phantoms return home to PPL Center tonight, Saturday, April 9, for a 7:05 p.m. clash with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders. Tonight's game is Faith Night, featuring a post-game concert with Christian hip-hop artist Tedashii. Fans are also encouraged to bring canned goods to tonight's game in support of the GIANT Canned Food Drive, which benefits the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley. A limited number of tickets remain for tonight's contest and can be secured online at pplcenter.com, by calling 610-347-TIXX [8499] or in-person at the Mealey's Furniture Box Office at PPL Center [701 Hamilton Street].

RISE UP! Reserve your season tickets for the 2016-2017 season of Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey. For more information on how to reserve your seat at PPL Center to the hottest ticket in town, call the Phantoms front office today at 610-224-GOAL (4625)!

Upcoming Home Games:

Saturday, April 9, 2016, Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 p.m.

(Faith Night. GIANT Canned Food Drive.)

Friday, April 15, 2016, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, April 17, 2016, Syracuse Crunch vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 5:05 p.m.

In the midst of their 20th season of operation, the Phantoms are coming off their Inaugural Season as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms playing at the brand-new PPL Center. Established in 1996, the Phantoms spent their first 13 seasons at the Spectrum in Philadelphia before re-locating to Glens Falls, New York in 2009 where the team spent the next five seasons as the Adirondack Phantoms. A new era of Phantoms hockey began in the fall of 2014 when the Lehigh Valley Phantoms began play at the state-of-the-art PPL Center. Through 19 incredibly successful campaigns, the Phantoms have captured two Calder Cup Championships (1998, 2005), two Conference Championships (1998, 2005), two Regular Season Titles (1996-97, 1997-98) and four Division Championships (1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 2003-04).

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