“AHL Authentic” program launched

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today announced the launch of AHL Authentic, a new program that will offer fans the opportunity to own authentic game-worn AHL jerseys and other game-used league collectibles.

Beginning with the 2010 AHL All-Star Game on January 19, AHL Authentic will auction off a complete set of All-Star Game-worn jerseys. Subsequent auctions will feature All-Star warm-up jerseys and jerseys worn during the Skills Competition as part of the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic.

Pucks and other collectibles will also be available in future auctions, and later in the 2009-10 season AHL Authentic will be offering a variety of game-worn AHL team jerseys and jerseys from the 2010 Calder Cup Finals.

All jerseys in the program will be branded with an AHL Authentic patch and all auctions will include letters verifying the items’ authenticity.

In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 85 percent of today’s NHL players are AHL graduates, and for the eighth year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2008-09.