SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … American Hockey League President and CEO Scott Howson introduced immediately that the Board of Governors has unanimously accredited the Rockford IceHogs as hosts of the 2026 AHL All-Star Traditional offered by BMO.
The 2026 AHL All-Star Traditional offered by BMO will embrace the AHL All-Star Expertise Competitors on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, adopted by the AHL Corridor of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, February 11 and the AHL All-Star Problem that night.
“As we put together to have a good time the AHL’s ninetieth season in 2025-26, we stay up for bringing the AHL All-Star Traditional to Rockford subsequent winter,” mentioned Howson. “Being chosen to host our showcase occasion is a testomony to the dedication made by the Metropolis of Rockford, the State of Illinois and the Chicago Blackhawks group to supply followers all through the area with a first-class atmosphere on the BMO Heart to benefit from the IceHogs and AHL hockey.”
Each the AHL All-Star Expertise Competitors and the AHL All-Star Problem will probably be held on the newly renovated BMO Heart in downtown Rockford. A $27-million funding so far from the State of Illinois, Metropolis of Rockford and different private and non-private companions has significantly enhanced and modernized the fan expertise with enhancements to infrastructure, know-how, concourse, and premium areas.
“The AHL All-Star Traditional will deliver collectively the league’s high expertise, showcasing the easiest {of professional} hockey proper right here in Rockford. This prestigious occasion will put our metropolis within the nationwide highlight, drawing followers from close to and much to have a good time the game and expertise all that Rockford has to supply,” mentioned Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “From the thrilling motion on the BMO Heart to the enhance for native companies and the joy shared by our group, the AHL All-Star Traditional will probably be a celebration of our metropolis’s vitality, resilience, and keenness for hockey.”
“Illinois’ tourism business is second to none, and I’m thrilled to welcome the AHL All-Star Traditional to Rockford – within the Center of Every thing,” mentioned Illinois Division of Commerce and Financial Alternative Director Kristin Richards. “Bolstered by the Tourism Incentive Grant Program, the State of Illinois is making vital investments which are opening the doorways to occasions that may attract guests from far and broad whereas offering native households one other alternative to take pleasure in Illinois alongside the gifted Rockford IceHogs.”
“The IceHogs, in collaboration with our companions from the Metropolis, County, State of Illinois Workplace of Tourism, RAVE (Rockford Space Venues & Leisure Authority) Board, and GoRockford, are thrilled to showcase our metropolis and area to a world viewers by internet hosting the 2026 AHL All-Star Traditional offered by BMO,” mentioned IceHogs Group President Ryan Snider. “Rockford is aware of throw a celebration, and we stay up for internet hosting the Stateline’s final celebration for the AHL, our IceHogs and Blackhawks followers, and our group at massive.”
Followers can go to icehogs.com/asc26 for extra data on the occasion and tickets. Particular person tickets for the All-Star Traditional will probably be on sale at a later date.
The annual AHL All-Star Traditional options the highest younger expertise within the American Hockey League: since 1995, greater than 94 p.c of All-Star Traditional individuals have gone on to compete within the Nationwide Hockey League, together with Cam Atkinson, Drake Batherson, Jordan Binnington, Michael Carcone, John Carlson, Brandt Clarke, Thatcher Demko, Lukas Dostal, Ryker Evans, Thomas Harley, Connor Hellebuyck, Joel Hofer, Tristan Jarry, Jordan Kyrou, Jonathan Marchessault, Jacob Markstrom, J.T. Miller, Brandon Montour, William Nylander, Kyle Palmieri, Mikko Rantanen, Dylan Strome, Tyler Toffoli, Linus Ullmark, Vitek Vanecek, Dustin Wolf and Mats Zuccarello.
In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League serves as the highest growth league for the gamers, coaches, managers, executives, broadcasters and workers of all 32 Nationwide Hockey League groups. Practically 90 p.c of immediately’s NHL gamers are American Hockey League graduates, and greater than 100 honored members of the Hockey Corridor of Fame frolicked within the AHL of their careers.
