The 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications is quickly approaching. Along with the Skills Competition and All-Star Game, there are a number of other sensational events on tap.
Among the additional events are the Post-Skills Party, the Hockey Hall of Fame/AHL All-Star Classic Luncheon and a visit by the Stanley Cup, all part of a fun-filled two-day schedule.
“We are looking forward to an incredible showcase of the best young hockey players in the world,” said Worcester Sharks president & CEO Michael T. Lehr. “Starting with the Skills Competition on Sunday right through the All-Star Game on Monday, fans will not be disappointed.”
Please see below for everything you need to know with times, locations, and ticket prices for each event.
Sunday, Jan. 25 – 4:00 p.m. – 2009 AHL All-Star Skills Competition (DCU Center)
- Players from both the PlanetUSA and Canadian AHL All-Star Teams will display their skills in a number of different competitions in a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Events include hardest shots, accuracy shooting, fastest skater, and more!
- The Calder Cup will be on display in the DCU Center Lobby.
- Tickets are going fast! Tickets, which admit you to both the Skills Competition (Jan. 25) and the All-Star Game (Jan. 26), cost only $40 for lower bowl seating and $32 for the upper bowl. They are going quickly, so get your tickets today!
- Call the Sharks office at (508) 929-0500 to order tickets, or on sharksahl.com
Sunday, Jan. 25 – 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Post-Skills Party (Mechanics Hall)
- After the Skills Competition, be sure to head to Mechanics Hall (one block from the DCU Center) for the Post-Skills Party.
- The party gives fans the chance to interact with AHL All-Stars, Coaches, and Executives.
- Entertainment for the night includes Joshua Tree (U2 cover band) and Honkey Cats Dueling Piano Show. The NHL All-Star Game will also be shown live on a jumbotron.
- Free food and beverages will be served.
- Tickets are only $25 per person and are available by calling (508) 929-0500, or on sharksahl.com.
Monday, Jan. 26 – 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – All-Stars in the Community: Be a Leader and Reading is Cool (Clark Street Community School in Worcester)
- The 2009 AHL All-Stars and mascots will take part in the Worcester Sharks Be a Leader and Reading is Cool programs presented by the Law Firm of Abigail Williams & Associates.
- Two All-Stars and a mascot will join each classroom of grades one through five to read and stress the importance of reading.
- Each student will receive a “Be a Leader” activity booklet compliments of the Law Firm of Abigail Williams & Associates.
- This event is not open to the general public but press is welcome to attend.
Monday, Jan. 26 – 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Hockey Hall of Fame/AHL All-Star Classic Luncheon (DCU Grand Ballroom)
- Join us at the Hockey Hall of Fame/AHL All-Star Classic Luncheon as the AHL enshrines its American Hockey League Hall of Fame Class of 2009. The inductees include:
- Bruce Boudreau (current Washington Capitals head coach and former AHL scoring champion)
- Jimmy Anderson (former Springfield Indians great)
- Les Cunningham (former Cleveland Barons great)
- Louis A.R. Pieri (former owner and GM of the Providence Reds)
- Harry Sinden (Hockey Hall of Fame Honoree and former Boston Bruins president and GM), Gerry Cheevers (former Bruins goaltending great and AHL graduate) and Ron Hextall (former NHL goaltending great and AHL graduate) will be honored at the event
- Cheevers and Hextall will be the honorary captains for Monday’s AHL All-Star Game
- Tickets for the event are sold out
Monday, Jan. 26 – 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Get Up Close with the Stanley Cup! (The Atrium of Saint Vincent Hospital)
- Catch this rare opportunity as The Stanley Cup will be on display in the Atrium of Saint Vincent Hospital, 123 Summer Street, across from the DCU Center. The event is free and open to the public.
Monday, Jan. 26 – 7:00 p.m. – 2009 AHL All-Star Game
- The All-Star Classic concludes on Monday night with the 2009 AHL All-Star Game. Come watch the stars of the future compete in a game that will be televised throughout the United States and Canada.
- NESN is producing the telecast and will air the event live locally. Tom Caron and Bob Beers will call the action, with 1998 Olympic women’s hockey gold medalist A.J. Mleczko at rinkside.
- Two Worcester Sharks are represented: Derek Joslin (Canadian AHL All-Star starter) and Ryan Vesce (PlanetUSA AHL All-Star).
- The Stanley Cup and Calder Cup will be on display in the DCU Center Lobby.
- Tickets are going fast! Tickets, which admit you to both the Skills Competition (Jan. 25) and the All-Star Game (Jan. 26), cost only $40 for lower bowl seating and $32 for the upper bowl. They are going quickly, so get your tickets today!
- Call the Sharks office at (508) 929-0500 to order tickets, or crash the net at sharksahl.com/tickets/AllStar
The 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications will feature the top young talent in the American Hockey League competing in the annual All-Star Skills Competition and the 2009 AHL All-Star Game, a two-day event to be televised to more than 100 million households, including on TSN nationally in Canada and on a series of regional sports networks in the United States. The telecasts will be produced by the New England Sports Network. The weekend’s events will also be streamed live on-line at AHL Live.
Of the 455 players to take part in the AHL All-Star Classic since 1995, more than 94 percent have competed in the National Hockey League, including Patrice Bergeron, Brad Boyes, Dan Boyle, Brian Campbell, Zdeno Chara, Rick DiPietro, Jiri Hudler, Miikka Kiprusoff, Kari Lehtonen, Ryan Miller, Zach Parise, Martin St. Louis, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal and Tomas Vokoun.
For ticket and event information for the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications, call the Worcester Sharks at (508) 929-0500 or visit sharksahl.com.
