The 2026 AHL All-Star Traditional is about to happen on the BMO Middle in Rockford on Feb 10 and 11 whereas the NHL is on their Olympic break. We now know the place the 2027 AHL All-Star Traditional will happen.
The AHL Board of Governors has unanimously accepted the Cleveland Monsters because the hosts of the 2027 AHL All-Star Traditional. Rocket Area would be the web site of the AHL All-Star Expertise Competitors on Sunday Feb 7 and the AHL All-Star Problem on Monday Feb 8.
The AHL Corridor of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony might be held on that Monday morning. There might be different occasions happening with these particulars being introduced at a later date.
Cleveland is among the bedrock franchises within the AHL with a wealthy historical past and large fan following. The Monsters once more led the AHL in 2024-25 in attendance averaging over 11,400 followers per sport.
Rocket Area is a world-class facility that’s dwelling to the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. If the “Loudville” part (the higher bowl) isn’t curtained off, the sector can maintain near 19,000 followers for hockey.
This marks simply the second time in Cleveland hockey historical past that an All-Star Recreation has taken place. Within the 1941-42 season, the previous Cleveland Area performed host to the inaugural All-Star Recreation during which funds had been raised for the Purple Cross.
With the Monsters NHL affiliate positioned simply two hours down I-71 in Columbus, this announcement comes with a stage of pleasure for hockey followers everywhere in the state of Ohio. Former Blue Jackets’ GM Scott Howson, who’s now the AHL’s President and Chief Government Officer, had this to say in regards to the Traditional coming to Cleveland.
“Cleveland stands as a pillar amongst historic American Hockey League cities, and the Monsters
group is considered one of our most profitable franchises as we speak. We’re excited to be bringing our showcase occasion to Rocket Area and the town of Cleveland in 2027.”
How did this all come to be? And what can followers count on now? The Hockey Writers was capable of discuss with Cleveland Monsters’ Workforce President Mike Ostrowski and Monsters’ head coach Trent Vogelhuber, who coached within the AHL All-Star Traditional in 2024.
This has been within the works over the course of a number of years.
How It All Got here Collectively
Cleveland has at all times had rather a lot going for themselves when it comes to not solely their geographic location, however what they’ve been capable of do in internet hosting different main occasions. Among the many large occasions lately Rocket Area has hosted had been the 2022 NBA All-Star Recreation, the 2024 NCAA Ladies’s Remaining 4 in addition to the lately accomplished USA Hockey Rivalry Sequence.
Ostrowski says their experience at these occasions helped them have the ability to land this chance for the AHL All-Star Traditional.
“We’ve talked to the league for a number of years about this,” Ostrowski mentioned. “They’re at all times speaking to groups about curiosity stage. And we have now expressed that we thought we’d be a very nice venue, market and metropolis for this. After which because the league is searching for companions in future years, actually simply having dialogue in regards to the alternative.”
“(The AHL) is searching for good hosts that basically have a need, vitality and pleasure to make it nice. We undoubtedly shared those self same viewpoints on the occasion. It simply sort of got here collectively as we submitted our bid. The league was enthusiastic about it. We had the constructing dates open and it was capable of come collectively.”
When it got here to placing the bid collectively, Ostrowski says that not solely was Rocket Area a giant a part of it, the current renovations inside the sector performed to their benefit. Let him clarify.
“I believe one of many fundamental issues that we thought we had a very aggressive benefit on was simply our constructing. Rocket Area is among the greatest arenas within the nation. We simply went by way of a constructing transformation about six years in the past that added an enormous, new atrium. Over 45,000 or so sq. ft to the entrance facet of our constructing that has a ton of occasion house choices for the completely different occasions that the league has for this All-Star Traditional. However actually, it was primarily about us actually wanting it and the league eager to have a very good venue and an important accomplice that was excited in regards to the occasion.”
Coach Vogelhuber has been within the Monsters’ group each as a participant and a coach. He is aware of what the town of Cleveland has to supply for followers coming in. He echoed Ostrowski’s emotions in regards to the pleasure of the occasion and what it would imply to the town and group.
“I believe the factor that makes Cleveland nice is the individuals,” Vogelhuber mentioned. “It’s a very good, heat (welcoming) midwest metropolis. Persons are pleasant and folks from Cleveland have a lot satisfaction. It’s a giant metropolis with a ton of enjoyable stuff to do. The Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame stands out. Three main sports activities groups that you would be able to go watch and the museums. The parks are the highest of the road so far as the nation go. The lake is gorgeous even within the wintertime.”
“There’s numerous issues to do and see. It’s proper on the water. And the meals. It’s an previous metropolis with a wealthy sort of cultural, numerous background. The meals is unbelievable. These previous eating places have been right here for many years. I believe that speaks to Cleveland itself. It’s an undercover metropolis. You don’t understand how good it’s till you spend a while right here. Trying ahead for positive to individuals across the league and hockey followers which are capable of come expertise it in the event that they haven’t but.”
Subsequent Steps/What’s To Come
With the 2027 AHL All-Star Traditional slightly below 14 months away, the Monsters might be actively concerned now ensuring every part is prepared for the large occasion. They wish to ensure that their native followers get essentially the most out of this expertise.
Ostrowski opened up about some issues followers will have the ability to look ahead to as we now countdown to Feb 2027.
“I believe one of the thrilling issues (is) we wish all of our Monsters’ followers, initially, to have entry to this chance first,” Ostrowski mentioned. “One of many thrilling issues is as we exit with our season ticket membership for the 2026-27 season, these two occasions, the Expertise Competitors on Sunday after which the All-Star Problem on Monday might be elements of the Monsters Hockey Membership bundle. We wish to be sure our followers have entry to the most effective seats and to their seat places for each occasions. We all know they’ll be enthusiastic about that.”
“Basic public followers, you may go to clevelandmonsters.com/allstar and discover out all the All-Star Traditional data for 2027. And we’re really making packages out there instantly. We’re going to have what’s known as our All-Star Pack, which can acquire common public followers entry to each the Expertise Competitors and the All-Star Problem. Each occasions that may assure seats and so they may get an unique with each pack that they buy and AHL All-Star Cleveland hat beginning at solely $49. There’s completely different seating choices with that however followers can safe seats straight away in order that’s actually thrilling.”
You Could Additionally Like
The historic Hotel Cleveland would be the designated host resort for the occasions. One other perk to being in Cleveland is gaining access to Tower Metropolis and the walkway which can join followers to the sector, lodges and purchasing with out having to step outdoors. Different preparations are being labored on and might be introduced within the close to future.
Ostrowski believes the financial impression of the AHL All-Star Traditional will high a number of seven figures for Cleveland and northeast Ohio. Given how easy accessibility is to Cleveland, they’re anticipating followers from throughout the nation to have the ability to get there and revel in every part the town have to supply.
Followers may keep tuned not solely to the Monsters but additionally to the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission as they are going to be working collectively to assist run this occasion. This may embody potential volunteer alternatives that may come up down the street.
Ultimately, this chance for Cleveland and the Monsters has been years within the making by way of varied conversations and expressions of curiosity. There’s a palpable pleasure that may be felt by everybody concerned with this announcement. The AHL’s greatest might be on full show at Rocket Area in 2027.
Cleveland has had the Calder Cup Finals and an out of doors sport in current reminiscence. Now they’ll have the ability to add AHL All-Star Traditional to that checklist. Solely applicable for the town who hosted the very first one to host it once more in 2027.
Cleveland is among the AHL’s greatest markets. Due to their followers and the best way issues are run by the Monsters, they earned this chance. It needs to be an incredible couple of days on the shores of Lake Erie.
