SUBBAN REFLECTS ON ALL-STAR EXPERIENCE

Nov 30, 2017

Jordan Subban earned the honor of representing Utica in the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic hosted in Lehigh Valley. He led the Comets defensemen in the 2016-17 season with eight goals and 20 points in his first 29 games.

“It was a really cool experience, I remember I didn’t expect to have as much fun as I did,” Subban said. “It was in Lehigh Valley, the fans came out and we had a lot of fun and support.”

Unlike the last time Utica hosted the All-Star Classic, the game’s format will feature four teams, one for each division, and they will play 3-on-3, rather than 5-on-5.

The four teams will participate in a round-robin tournament featuring six games of 10 minutes each, played entirely at 3-on-3. The two teams with the best records at the end of the round-robin will face off for the championship; a lightning fast six-minute game also played at 3-on-3.

“It was a nice break from the usual,” he said. “We were playing 3-on-3, but it got a little competitive toward the end, which always seems to happen at those things.”

Along with the addition of a 3-on-3 format, the skills competition will give the fans in attendance a chance to get a unique look into the game.

“The coolest part was doing all the skills competition challenges,” Subban said. “The glass was down so you could really interact with the fans. We were out there just having a really good time.”

The AHL All-Star Classic is a haven for future NHL stars such as Jake Guentzel, Tyler Johnson, Patrice Bergeron, Bobby Ryan and many others, which is something Subban thinks fans should take notice of.

“It’s the best time to go and interact with some of the players in the Western Conference that we don’t see,” he said. “A lot of these guys will be in the NHL someday so it’s cool to see them live and meet them before they go up.”

The 2018 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Turning Stone Resort Casino will include the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, January 28, followed by the AHL All-Star Classic on Monday, January 29 at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Tickets for the exciting weekend of talent are still available by calling (315)-790-9070 or by visiting, http://bit.ly/2BjyMLY!