In this season’s AHL All-Star Classic, a team of American Hockey League All-Stars will face off against Färjestad BK, one of the top professional teams in the Swedish Hockey League, AHL president and CEO David Andrews announced on Tuesday.
The 2014 AHL All-Star Classic will be held at St. John’s, N.L.’s Mile One Centre, the home of the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps.
“I would like to thank Färjestad, the Swedish Hockey League and the St. John’s IceCaps for their commitment to making this very special opportunity a reality,” said Andrews. “The city and fans of St. John’s have wholly embraced the IceCaps since our league returned to Newfoundland and Labrador, and this historic and memorable event is an excellent way for us to showcase our brightest stars to what will truly be an international audience.”
The event will span over two days and will include a Skills Competition on Tuesday, Feb. 11, and the All-Star Game itself on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
“The St. John’s IceCaps organization is extremely proud to showcase our city and Newfoundland and Labrador to an international audience as host of the 2014 AHL All-Star Classic,” said IceCaps president and CEO Danny Williams. “Hosting one of Sweden’s elite teams will be a first for the American Hockey League and will undoubtedly ignite hockey fever throughout the province. We look forward to bringing this exciting event to hockey fans around the world.”
It will mark the first time ever that a Swedish Hockey League team has competed in North America. Färjestad BK, which was founded in 1932 and is based in the city of Karlstad, Sweden, is one of the most successful franchises in all of European hockey, playing in 19 league finals and winning nine Swedish league championships, including four since 2002.
“The SHL is proud to be a part of this event and it is a positive step in the direction our league is heading,” said Jörgen Lindgren, CEO of the Swedish Hockey League. “Most importantly, we are proud to give North American hockey fans a unique sports experience.”