CCM/ECHL Hockey Heritage Game to be aired nationally prior to Super Bowl

The ECHL announced on Thursday that the 2016 CCM/ECHL Hockey Heritage Game between the Toledo Walleye and Kalamazoo Wings will be aired nationally on the NHL Network on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 12:00 p.m. EST, prior to Super Bowl 50, which is set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. EST. This rivalry game will be a tape-delay showing from the previous night on Feb. 6, when the two teams face-off at Wings Event Center as part of a two-game weekend set celebrating the game and the long history of minor league hockey both cities have showcased. As part of the festivities, both teams will be wearing “futuristic” CCM Edge jerseys for the first time in the ECHL. “We are thrilled to be able to showcase our League and our signature showcase event to a national audience this Season,” said Ryan Crelin, Senior Vice President of Business Operations of the ECHL. “As sports’ fans everywhere get ready for Super Bowl 50, we are very pleased to supplement their pre-game with some exciting ECHL hockey highlighting a minor league rivalry of over 40 years.” The 2016 CCM/ECHL Hockey Heritage Game is being produced by BCSN, which produces Mid-American Conference sports for ESPN, including football, basketball, volleyball and over 40 other sports. The broadcast will be available LIVE in the Toledo market on BCSN as well as on NESN Plus in the New England area on Saturday, February 6 at 7 p.m. EST, available only on Buckeye CableSystem. From Feb. 1-6, the Kalamazoo Wings will host the 2016 CCM/ECHL Hockey Heritage Week festivities, gathering representatives from all 28 ECHL teams along with a myriad of activities focusing on the Past, Present, and Future of Hockey to celebrate the game including: • Stanley Cup and Kelly Cup tour of Kalamazoo and surrounding area• 9th Annual ECHL Hall of Fame Luncheon presented by BFL CANADA with keynote speaker Ken Holland of the Detroit Red Wings• Representatives from all 28 ECHL teams in attendance• NHL trophies, exhibits and games from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto presented by Sutton Special Risk• Special fan interactions with players, coaches and alumni• Hockey Heritage merchandise available for purchase• Exclusive ticket packages (available here) • Two games between Kalamazoo and Toledo• Performances from the Zooperstars during all intermissions of both gamesAbout the ECHLBegan in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 21 states and one Canadian province for its 28th season in 2015-16. There have been who have started their career in the ECHL who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 17 who have made their NHL debuts during the 2015-16 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 25 of the 30 NHL teams in 2015-16, marking the 19th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter.