2017 CCM/ECHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC TELEVISED LIVE ON NHL NETWORK

Glens Falls, NY. – The ECHL announced on Thursday that the 2017 CCM/ECHL Hockey All-Star Classic will air LIVE exclusively on NHL Network on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at 8pm EST from the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, N.Y.

This 2017 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by I LOVE NY will feature the host Adirondack Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, taking on the ECHL All-Stars in a non-traditional format featuring 5-on-5, 4-on-4, and 3-on-3 play, as well as a Skills Competition (Puck Relay, Hardest Shot, Fastest Skater) to highlight the talents of both teams. The All-Star Team will be comprised of the League’s top talent and prospects, showcasing the future stars of hockey as they develop in the ECHL.

The broadcast will feature color commentating from NHL Network analyst Neil Smith alongside the ECHL’s own Cameron Close (Adirondack Thunder) and Matt Melzak (Toledo Walleye).

“The ECHL and host team Adirondack Thunder are looking forward to bringing hockey fans across the country an extremely exciting event,” said Ryan Crelin, Senior Vice President of the ECHL. “Each year we work with CCM to produce this game and showcase the talent in the ECHL. We are grateful to be able to work with NHL Network to bring a game format of this nature to the national stage.”

This presentation of the CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic marks the first time the ECHL and NHL Network, the TV home for the National Hockey League, have worked together to air the game live in North America. For local channel listings, go to www.NHLNetwork.com.

About the ECHL

Began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 27 teams in 21 states and one Canadian province for its 29th season in 2016-17. There have been 609 players who have started their career in the ECHL who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 10 who have made their NHL debuts in the 2016-17 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 26 of the 30 NHL teams in 2016-17, marking the 20th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com.