For the first time in its long history, the American Hockey League will host its all-star game on Quebec soil. Due to the pandemic, the organizers had to wait a long time.
“It was a long epic,” says Sébastien Vaillant, Marketing Director of the Laval Rocket. The event was granted to us in January 2020 to present in the following year.
“In January 2021 we had to postpone it for another year. Then in 2022 it was still impossible because we went back to baseline. »
Despite these two postponements, American League officials have never shown any sign of impatience with the organizers.
“During this period there was good cooperation between Rocket and the AHL,” adds Vaillant. There were actually no questions about the implementation of the event.
“The teams agreed to let us present the All-Star Game. »
Acquisition of Weightman
It was originally Mark Weightman who initiated the project. After his departure as Vice President of Development at Place Bell in January 2020, the file ended up on the desks of several people, including Vaillant’s.
“I followed the file from the start. After Mark’s departure, I really took care of the file, he specifies. I don’t like to say that because it’s a great team effort.
“We are very happy to welcome everyone to Laval. We welcome fans, other teams, the league, players and coaches. As there are not many games between the two federations, some Quebec players never got the chance to play in Laval.
“It will be interesting for them to experience the excitement of a game at the Place Bell. »
The star game is already guaranteed a box office success. All tickets for the skill contest and games on Monday night are sold out.
Good timetable
The Laval Rocket has a solid reputation throughout the AHL for the quality of its amphitheater and facilities, as well as for the atmosphere during its local games.
“Since our first season, we’ve shown the AHL that we mean business very seriously. Groupe CH’s ambition was to place its hopes closer to Montreal, but also to have a successful dealership in Laval.
“In the past five years we have won the award for the team that had the best atmosphere at their games. We have a good track record. »
The Rocket is one of the strongest franchises in the American League. His assist average is among the best on the circuit this season. It draws an average of nearly 7,000 spectators per game. A big success.
“In terms of marketing, being the Canadiens’ training club and having their future players helps,” says Vaillant. We also focused on the customer experience and wanted the quality of the show to be there.
“As part of the CH Group and of evenko, there was a quality standard that had to be respected. The supporters also responded well. »
Quebecers at the AHL All-Star Game
Thomas Bordeleau
San Jose barracuda (NHL affiliation: San Jose)
- attacker
- 43pd | 18 goals | 11 Templates | 29 points
Samuel Bolduc
Bridgeport Islanders (NHL affiliation: Islanders NY)
- defender
- 40 pd | 8 goals | 18 Templates | 26 points
Maxim Lajoie
Chicago wolves (NHL affiliation: Carolina)
- defender
- 37pd | 2 goals | 14 assists | 16 points
Anthony Richard
Laval missile (NHL affiliation: Montreal)
- attacker
- 36pd | 22 goals | 20 assists | 42 points
Alex Barre Boulet
Syracuse Crunch (NHL affiliation: Tampa Bay)
- attacker
- 36pd | 12 goals | 36 Templates | 48 points
Gabriel Dumont
Syracuse Crunch (NHL affiliation: Tampa Bay)
- attacker
- 27pd | 12 goals | 6 Templates | 18 points
*Will be one of two AHL All-Star Game captains
Alex Belzile
Laval missile (NHL affiliation: Montreal)
- attacker
- 29pd | 13 goals | 12 Templates | 25 points