It got me to thinking, is the All-Star game even relevant or necessary in the AHL? The games gets awarded on what seems to be a fisrt-come, first served basis and has been out East every year since 2001 with the exceptions of Grand Rapids in 2004 and Manitoba in 2006. Manitoba isn't that close to the central US teams (the Midwest and Texas teams). I guess Grand Rapids is, but that is once in ten years.
This year, it is in Atlantic City, so did any team even apply for it? I'm often left to wonder how player are selected for the game, and even when they are, there are always those that get called up to their NHL team and can't play.
So, is the All-Star game necessary in the AHL?
EDIT - Title change due to poor wording on my part
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It got me to thinking, is the All-Star game even relevant or necessary in the AHL? The games gets awarded on what seems to be a fisrt-come, first served basis and has been out East every year since 2001 with the exceptions of Grand Rapids in 2004 and Manitoba in 2006. Manitoba isn't that close to the central US teams (the Midwest and Texas teams). I guess Grand Rapids is, but that is once in ten years.
This year, it is in Atlantic City, so did any team even apply for it? I'm often left to wonder how player are selected for the game, and even when they are, there are always those that get called up to their NHL team and can't play.
So, is the All-Star game necessary in the AHL?
It's a pretty safe bet no team wanted to host it this season. It's also safe bet very few teams (if any) will want it next season.
It isn't out west because the host city is responsible for getting player to and from the game plus have to pay for various VIPs to attend (most based in the east) so it costs a lot more for them to host the game...like it or not logistically the east is better for costs.
From a PR perspective an ASG is necessary...in actuality no ASG is truly necessary
OK, I'll rephrase the question since I agree that the game isn't necessary to the whole season.
Is the All-Star game still relevant and should it be played going forward?
[Wishy-washy answer alert]
I guess it's all in how one defines "relevant".
[/Wishy-washy answer alert]
It's on TV in a time where very few AHL games are, it gets the AHL some exposure, and it's generally a mega-huge party in the host city...if those are "relevant" I guess it still is.
From a PR perspective an ASG is necessary...in actuality no ASG is truly necessary
It's probably a good marketing tool about "bla bla percentage of AHL All-Stars go on to play in the NHL", but considering the ROI for the cities (and the fact it seems NOBODY wants it), I am not sure its logistically beneficial.
As much as I think its worthless (though I do watch it), the reactions by some players about making the teams (or the time TJ Hensick drove to whatever place b/c his flight in Cleveland was delayed/canceled) makes me think that if at least the players put some interest into it, I would say it is relevant to THEM.
The game itself is meaningless, but it does attract sponsors and it gets people together. The interaction between the players and fans at the side events is a nice touch. A lot of fans also use it to interact with friends they don't see often enough (or at all) during the season, so it's good for that, too.
The game itself is meaningless, but it does attract sponsors and it gets people together. The interaction between the players and fans at the side events is a nice touch. A lot of fans also use it to interact with friends they don't see often enough (or at all) during the season, so it's good for that, too.
Since you brought in all that jazz I have always wondered...why don't they do it on weekends?
The AHL bills itself as the second best league in the world (if they truly are is a different debate) and it would be bad PR for them to not have one...
I'm assuming that this isn't a game that NHL pro scouts are circling on their calender. Unless it's similar to the CHL Top Prospects game, in which they're banging, crashing and even fighting, no All-Star game is relevant.
I'm assuming that this isn't a game that NHL pro scouts are circling on their calender. Unless it's similar to the CHL Top Prospects game, in which they're banging, crashing and even fighting, no All-Star game is relevant.
There is definitely no banging, crashing or fighting. It's basically a goalie's worst nightmare.
The AHL bills itself as the second best league in the world (if they truly are is a different debate) and it would be bad PR for them to not have one...
But it's a good PR move to have one at a neutral site over 100 miles from the closest AHL team because no team wants to host it?
The AHL bills itself as the second best league in the world (if they truly are is a different debate) and it would be bad PR for them to not have one...
I think by now modern society has come to terms with the idea All Star games in sports are a shell of the spot \\rt itself and are a stinkin joke.
Thye AHL and ECHL are as close as I can ever recall now. You see many vets who are one year AHL guys the next year ending up in the E.
It got me to thinking, is the All-Star game even relevant or necessary in the AHL? The games gets awarded on what seems to be a fisrt-come, first served basis and has been out East every year since 2001 with the exceptions of Grand Rapids in 2004 and Manitoba in 2006. Manitoba isn't that close to the central US teams (the Midwest and Texas teams). I guess Grand Rapids is, but that is once in ten years.
This year, it is in Atlantic City, so did any team even apply for it? I'm often left to wonder how player are selected for the game, and even when they are, there are always those that get called up to their NHL team and can't play.
So, is the All-Star game necessary in the AHL?
EDIT - Title change due to poor wording on my part
Not relevant. I believe that the ASG was played in Toronto in 2007. I don't consider that to be an eastern city. They play in the same division as GR. I count 12 cities to their west, leaving 17 to the east, including Rochester.
I'd love it, but I know the Wolves are not interested in hosting it. I asked Wendel Young during a facebook Q&A, and he said that the team is not looking to host it. They want to focus on other things.
Majik is in the minority of diehard type people who actually wanna go to an ASG. I went to the one in Bingo, not impressed. Thank god my ticket was FREE
