Hamilton Bulldogs owner and chairman Michael Andlauer announced today that the club will host a regular season game outdoors at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Saturday, January 21st, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. against the Toronto Marlies. This will be the first time in AHL history that a Canadian team has held an outdoor game.
“This will be a week-long celebration of hockey, with an NHL and AHL alumni game, local minor hockey games, culminating with a battle between the Bulldogs and the Marlies on January 21st. It is our chance to showcase what a great hockey community Hamilton truly is,” said Andlauer. “To me, this is about more than just a hockey game, it’s about bringing the community together in celebration of what is truly Canadian; an outdoor hockey game between the farm clubs of the two most storied franchises in hockey, being played in a Canadian Football League stadium. We are very thankful in partnering and working closely with Mayor Bob Bratina and the City of Hamilton as well as Bob Young, Scott Mitchell and the Tiger-Cats to ensure this is a great success. With their backing, and the support of ‘Dogs fans, ‘Cats fans and all Hamiltonians, I’m confident that together we’ll easily break the AHL’s attendance record of 21,673.”
“The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are excited to be involved with the Bulldogs for such a great event for our city. This outdoor game will be a terrific way to kick off the 2012 sports calendar in what is the final season of historic Ivor Wynne Stadium,” said Tiger-Cats President Scott Mitchell.
“Hockey fans in southern Ontario are in for a terrific experience as the American Hockey League goes outdoors for the first time in Canada”, said AHL President and CEO David Andrews. “Historic Ivor Wynne Stadium has been the site of many great Hamilton-Toronto games in the CFL, and now the Hamilton Bulldogs and Toronto Marlies will bring their intense pro hockey rivalry to what could be an all-time record AHL crowd.”
All Hamilton Bulldogs season ticket holders will receive a ticket to the outdoor game in their package. Prior to going on sale to the public, season ticket holders and flex pack holders will have an opportunity to purchase tickets to the game. Tickets for the outdoor game will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, October 11th at 10:00 a.m. Ticket prices will be announced in the near future.
“A new era of professional hockey has begun thanks to Michael Andlauer and the Bulldogs. I encourage all Hamilton hockey fans to consider joining me as a Bulldogs season ticket holder,” said Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina.
