CCHA announces Hockey Day In Michigan

CCHA Press Release

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced this week the fifth annual Hockey Day in Michigan will take place on Saturday Jan. 30, 2010. The CCHA, FOX Sports Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings and the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association will once again join forces to bring a coast-to-coast celebration of the sport of hockey to participants and fans across the Great Lakes State .

This year’s event has once again been scheduled to coincide with USA Hockey’s “Hockey Weekend Across America”, January 29-31, 2010.

Michigan has over 61,000 players, coaches and officials registered with USA Hockey, which is the second most of any state in the nation.

Ken Holland, the Vice President and General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings, says Michigan is one of the best places to live if you love hockey.

“The state of Michigan , year after year, continues to be an elite part of the hockey world at every level and age group,” Holland said. “ Michigan is currently home to the 11-time Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings, the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, seven top-notch Division I NCAA programs and outstanding junior hockey, not to mention the numerous high school and youth teams across our great state. It’s exciting to live in a part of the world where the game of hockey means so much to so many people.”

George Atkinson, the President of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association, believes that Hockey Day helps grow the game of hockey in the state of Michigan .

“Hockey Day in Michigan helps to highlight the fact that the sport of hockey is part of Michigan ’s heritage,” Atkinson said. “Hockey Day helps to provide exposure to people who may not be aware of the hockey programs offered in their area. The increasing participation in Hockey Day by MAHA associations and teams has enabled new players to experience the thrills and fun a player can have while playing hockey with their friends.”

Greg Hammaren, the Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports Detroit, said FOX Sports is proud to provide coverage of the traditional CCHA doubleheader. Hockey Day 2010 features Western Michigan at 2009 national runner-up Miami at 5:05 p.m. followed by “College Hockey’s Fiercest Rivalry”, as Michigan takes on Michigan State at 7:35 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena.

“The CCHA doubleheader on Hockey Day in Michigan has become a signature of our network,” said Greg Hammaren, Senior Vice President/General Manager, FOX Sports Detroit. “It’s an honor to be associated with this annual celebration of hockey – a sport that is so near and dear to participants and spectators throughout our great state.”

FOX Sports Detroit’s coverage of Hockey Day 2009 involved more than just the traditional CCHA doubleheader. It included features on the history of hockey in Michigan, the Wheelchair Hockey League of Michigan, Hockey Day in Michigan Clinics in Novi, instructional pieces from former Red Wing and current FOX Sports Detroit analyst Larry Murphy (“Lessons with Larry”), and fun facts about other types of hockey (bubble hockey, air hockey, and video game hockey). Area youth teams got a chance to give “Happy Hockey Day” greetings to the Fox Sports Detroit viewers as well.

Hockey Day 2009 on FOX Sports Detroit also included special editions of “CCHA All-Access” and “Red Wings Weekly." The special edition of “CCHA All-Access” focused on the Michigan-based schools that are in the CCHA while “Red Wings Weekly” focused on how Red Wing players got their start in hockey and what hockey means to them.

The third annual Hockey Weekend Across America, a nationwide initiative led by USA Hockey to celebrate the game and those involved in the sport at all levels and expose hockey to new audiences, will run from January 29-31, 2010.

“We are proud and excited that Hockey Day in Michigan , launched in 2006, is now part of a nationwide celebration whose scope continues to expand each year,” said CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos . “It’s a great way for everyone involved in hockey to show their passion for the sport and share that passion with others who might consider trying it or watching it. We encourage everyone to get involved and celebrate in their own way.”

To get involved or to have your event included in the list of happenings around the state on CCHA.com, contact the CCHA at hockeyday@ccha.com or call the CCHA Office at (248) 888-0600.