SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League, in conjunction with The MeiGray Group, today announced that it will be making available to its fans and collectors around the world game-used pucks from the two conference finals series currently underway, as well as game-used pucks and game-worn jerseys from the upcoming 2006 Calder Cup Finals. You can bid on all the merchandise at MeiGray.com.
The MeiGray Group will be auctioning off pucks used throughout each game of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Portland Pirates and the Hershey Bears, and the Western Conference Finals between the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Milwaukee Admirals. Two different game pucks have been created for use during all games of the Conference Finals. Each puck features the 2006 Calder Cup Playoffs logo and text specific to each series.
The AHL and MeiGray will also offer for retail sale, via pre-order, one set of home jerseys and one set of road jerseys worn by the Eastern and Western Conference champions during the 2006 Calder Cup Finals. For the first time in the AHL’s 70-year history, the two league finalists will be wearing jerseys adorned with an official Calder Cup Finals patch.
“There is no more exciting time than the Finals, and no better way to feel a part of your team’s drive for a championship than a game-worn jersey or game-used puck,” said Barry Meisel, president and chief operating officer of the MeiGray Group. “We are excited about the opportunity to offer game-used jerseys from each team participating in the 2006 Calder Cup Finals to fans and collectors around the world for the first time in AHL history.”
MeiGray, which has sold more than 25,000 game-worn hockey jerseys since 1997, has sold more than 800 game-worn AHL jerseys this season, its first directing the AHL-MGG Game-Worn Jersey Program. MeiGray also directs the National Hockey League’s Game-Worn Jersey Authentication Program and the ECHL’s Game-Worn Jersey Program.
In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 80 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the fifth year in a row, more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games across North America in 2005-06.
