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Outdoor Hockey Coming to ECHL, Toledo

October 11, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release


TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo Walleye, in conjunction with the ECHL, announced on Thursday plans for the first-ever outdoor game in ECHL history during the 2014-15 season.

For ten days ending 2014 and beginning 2015, downtown Toledo will be transformed into a winter wonderland culminating with the first ever outdoor professional hockey game at Fifth Third Field as ProMedica Toledo Hospital presents the Toledo Walleye Winterfest 2014.

"The Toledo Walleye are thrilled to host this unprecedented outdoor event. Our fans have been clamoring for an outdoor hockey game and the Toledo Walleye Winterfest is the perfect way to showcase old-school hockey while also featuring other winter sports and events," says Joe Napoli, president and general manager, Toledo Mud Hens and Toledo Walleye.

"The Walleye have done a terrific job in entertaining their fans since the return of ECHL hockey to Toledo in 2009. We are thrilled to work with the Walleye to present the first-ever ECHL outdoor game and participate in what will an outstanding community event," said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna.

The focal point for the Toledo Walleye Winterfest 2014 will be the special outdoor ice skating rink to be assembled at Fifth Third Field, with the featured event to be the first outdoor game in ECHL history. But there will be plenty of family-oriented events at both Fifth Third Field and the Huntington Center from Dec. 26, 2014 through Jan. 4, 2015 including youth, high school and adult hockey at the outdoor rink. Kids and adults alike can enjoy a Rockefeller Center-like experience at Fifth Third Field or an open-skate at Huntington Center. Other activities will include broomball, curling, live music events, ice sculpture demonstrations and fireworks - and of course, lots of good food and hot chocolate.

"This event is all about our community and our region. We are extremely proud to be able to present a week of family-oriented holiday activities that will showcase our city and its finest attributes as well as generating a significant positive economic impact for our community," says Randy Oostra, president and chief executive officer, ProMedica.

"We look forward to working with other local organizations and cultural venues, such as The Toledo Museum of Art, Imagination Station, The Toledo Zoo, the Toledo Symphony and our Metroparks, to make this a fun and memorable way to enjoy the holidays," says Kevin Webb, president, ProMedica Toledo Hospital. "The community can expect this to be one of the best events that downtown Toledo has seen in years."

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