Capital BlueCross named All-Star sponsor

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms announced today that Capital BlueCross has been named the title sponsor of the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic. 

The 2017 Capital BlueCross 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

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

“Being chosen to host this internationally viewed event is such a big win for the Lehigh Valley,” said Phantoms co-owner/governor Rob Brooks. “And having great supporters such as Capital BlueCross provides us with the courage and confidence to place bids on such events.” 

“Capital BlueCross is proud to be a part of this high-profile event in the Lehigh Valley,” said Anne Baum, Vice President Lehigh Valley, Capital BlueCross. “We see ourselves as more than an insurance company and supporting events such as the AHL All-Star Classic weekend at PPL Center is one example of our commitment to the community. The AHL All-Star Classic is an exciting opportunity for Lehigh Valley sports fans to watch top hockey talent from throughout North America.” 

Capital BlueCross, headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., is the leading health solutions and insurance company in central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. A partner in the community’s health for nearly 80 years, Capital BlueCross offers health insurance products, services and technology solutions that provide peace of mind to consumers and promote health and wellness for its customers. Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association; for more information, visit www.capbluecross.com

The 2017 Capital BlueCross 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 BergeronBen BishopTroy BrouwerRyan CallahanZdeno CharaLogan CoutureDustin ByfuglienJiri HudlerTyler JohnsonChris KunitzRyan MillerGustav NyquistZach PariseTuukka RaskPekka RinneBobby RyanCory SchneiderPatrick SharpJason SpezzaEric StaalP.K. Subban and Mats Zuccarello, as well as Phantoms alumni and current Philadelphia Flyers Nick Cousins and Brandon Manning

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 an all-time record 7.1 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2015-16.