The Laval Rocket will host the 2021 AHL All-Star Classic, which will be the first to take place in the province of Quebec. It will be held at Place Bell on January 31 and February 1, 2021.
“The Laval Rocket have quickly emerged as one of the premier organizations in the American Hockey League,” said AHL President and CEO David Andrews. “It is with great excitement that we bring our annual showcase event to Place Bell and the city of Laval in 2021.”
The 2021 AHL All-Star Classic will include the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, January 31, followed by the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony on Monday, February 1 and the 2021 AHL All-Star Challenge that evening.
In conjunction with the All-Star Classic, the Rocket plans to organize a major festival to celebrate Laval and its vibrant sports scene.
The announcement was made at Place Bell prior to the Rocket’s 100th regular-season home game in Laval Friday, and the official event logos were unveiled in the presence of members of the Laval and Montreal business and political communities, the club’s main partners, sports personalities and a legion of loyal fans. It was also announced that RDS will be the official broadcaster of the 2021 AHL All-Star Classic.
“We are thrilled to bring the AHL All-Star Classic for the first time to Quebec,” said Mark Weightman, vice president of development and operations at Place Bell and the Laval Rocket. “Not only will it feature high-end talent and several future NHL stars, it will also highlight the strides we have made as a team since our inaugural season. Over the past two years, we have forged important relationships with our partners and fans, whose support continues to grow each season. The AHL All-Star Classic will enable us to give back to our community and put Laval on the map.”
“Since their very first game at Place Bell, the Rocket have conquered the hearts of fans while shining a bright light on the City of Laval,” said Marc Demers, mayor of Laval. “The announcement that the American Hockey League’s All-Star Classic will be coming to Laval represents a tremendous source of pride that will allow more people to discover our exceptional island.”
While the festival’s full programming will be announced at a later date, fans can expect many activities, including some with the players invited to the All-Star Classic. Known for having a strong presence in their community, the Rocket plan on taking over Laval, starting with an entertainment hub at the Centropolis.
“Tourisme Laval is proud to welcome this wonderful festival that will boost our regional economy and put a spotlight on our city and its sports scene across North America,” said Genevieve Roy, president and general manager of Tourisme Laval. “This event will showcase Greater Montreal’s winter tourism offering, highlight the attractiveness of downtown Laval, and help position the region as an authentic family destination with unique and memorable experiences.”
