Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Atlantic City Convention Hall To Host 5 Games in 2010-11

One of the oldest remaining EHL rinks, built in 1929 (three years after the Big E in Springfield, MA) the Atlantic City Convention Hall, will be the site of five hockey games this year. While the famed Atlantic City Seagulls of the EAHL went defunct before the EHL was reformed in 1954-55, there were still EHL games played there. Amongst other games played there, the 1954-55 EHL champion Washington Lions played four "home" games in Atlantic City while the circus was at the Uline Arena in late January, early February 1955. The Philadelphia Ramblers also played four "home games" at the AC Convention Hall between December 27, 1955 and January 6, 1956. Perhaps bumped by Holiday on Ice?

The Convention Hall or Boardwalk Hall as they are now calling it, has the world's "largest and loudest pipe organ", which should be worth the visit in itself.
(Anyone remember the NCAA Football Boardwalk Bowl at the Convention Center?)

The AHL will release its schedule tomorrow and at that time I will start assembling possible "EHL Roadtrip" itineraries for 2010-11, including stops in Knoxville, Johnstown, Syracuse and Atlantic City for league games games, with perhaps Roanoke, Clinton, Woonsocket, Springfield, Charlotte and Nashville for lesser league games, skating and other non-ice events. Stay tuned.

Here's the USA Today article from today...
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall will be the site of five professional hockey games this season.

The New Jersey Devils announced Tuesday that two of its minor league affiliates will host the games at the Jersey shore.

The Devils' top development squad, the Albany Devils of the American Hockey League, will play in Atlantic City on Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Feb. 4 and Feb. 27.

The Trenton Devils of the Eastern Hockey League will play at the shore on Jan. 23.

Ticket prices and the on-sale date for single-game tickets will be announced in September.

The Devils will donate tickets to the New Jersey Department of Children and Families for use by children in foster care in the Atlantic City area.