Kingston to host 2010 All-Star Classic

Press Release

Kingston, ON – The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Kingston Frontenacs hockey club held a press conference today at the K-Rock Centre to announce that Kingston has been awarded the 2010 OHL All-Star Classic. The successful bid was approved by the OHL’s Board of Governors in Toronto earlier this week. The event, which includes a skills competition, is scheduled to take place in the Limestone City February 2nd and 3rd, 2010. The game will be broadcast live on Rogers Sportsnet.

“The Ontario Hockey League is excited to return to the city of Kingston and award the All-Star Classic to the Frontenacs hockey club” said OHL Commissioner David Branch. “It is only fitting that the best Major Junior hockey players in the world will be able to showcase their talent and skills in a world class facility like the K-Rock Centre.”

The 2010 event marks the second time for Kingston to host the OHL All-Star game. In 1981, the young franchise hosted the League event which was then known as the OHL Chrysler Cup at the Memorial Centre. The Emms Division team which was coached by Paul Gauthier beat the Leyden Division team coached by Terry Crisp 4 to 3.

“This is a huge day for not only our franchise, but the city of Kingston,” said Frontenacs’ Owner and Governor Doug Springer. “This gives us the opportunity to showcase what we believe is the best facility in the Ontario Hockey League, as well as the beauty of Kingston,” Springer continued.

“Remember, this is not just a one game event, there is the game, the media, the families and fans it attracts, but the night before is the skills competition. Being held in early February, it will work well with our Downtown Kingston partners and their annual FebFest event,” Springer added.

Michelle Skolnick, Director of Business and Community Development will chair the event on behalf of the franchise.

“We are extremely excited to host this prestigious event and look forward to providing all the pertinent details and information over the upcoming month,” Skolnick said.

Last season the event was held in Windsor, ON, at the WFCU Centre and featured Subway as the title sponsor. The Eastern Conference All-Stars defeated the Western Conference All-Stars 11-6 at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic. Cody Hodgson of the Brampton Battalion tied an All-Star game record with five points including a hat-trick as game MVP for the Eastern Conference who have won the last four contests. Justin DiBenedetto of the Sarnia Sting also scored a hat-trick to tie Hodgson, Scott Barney of the 1999 Peterborough Petes, and Hunter Tremblay of the 2007 Barrie Colts as the only players to score three goals in a single All-Star game.

Frontenacs’ season ticket holders will have the privilege of purchasing tickets to the 2010 OHL All-Star Classic before they go on sale to the general public.



(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)