WARRIOR JOINS LEADING HOCKEY ORGANIZATIONS AS HOCKEY DAY IN MICHIGAN TITLE SPONSOR
For the seventh consecutive year, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association is proud to announce their participation in Hockey Day in Michigan. This year, the event will take place on Saturday February 18, 2012 as part of Hockey Weekend Across America (February 17-February 19). The CCHA, FOX Sports Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings and the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association will once again be joining forces to celebrate the sport of hockey all over Michigan from Detroit to Mackinaw to Iron Mountain.
Hockey Day in Michigan is a great way to honor and further the great hockey tradition that our state boasts: in 2012, the state of Michigan will play host to teams which claim 19 Division 1 College Hockey championships, 11 Stanley Cup titles and includes over 2,500 amateur hockey teams.
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."
Not only will Michiganders have ample opportunities to participate in free on-ice programs across the state throughout the weekend, FOX Sports will once again be providing coverage of two blockbuster CCHA matchups. Hockey Day 2012 will see national powerhouse and 2011 National Championship runner-up Michigan play host to a resurgent Northern Michigan squad at 5:05 PM. In the nightcap, the Alaska Nanooks come into Munn Ice Arena to take on the 2007 National Champion Michigan State Spartans, with the puck dropping at 8:05 PM.
"The collaborative effort among FOX Sports Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association and our conference is what makes Hockey Day in Michigan so successful on an annual basis., notes CCHA Commissioner Fred Pletsch. "The CCHA is provided with a great opportunity to connect with hockey fans of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels while also seeking to attract news fans and players to the sport we are all so passionate about. We welcome the opportunity to showcase four teams in two televised games and it’s an honor for the CCHA to be associated with what’s become a mid-winter ‘hockey 
holiday’ that has something to offer everyone."
Entering its third year as part of the Hockey Day in Michigan celebration is the popular "Heroes of Hockey Day" initiative, where those that go above and beyond the call of duty to make the game of hockey great in the state of Michigan are recognized. Last year's recipients received memorabilia from the Detroit Red Wings and CCHA member schools, tickets to Hockey Day games and recognition on CCHA.com. Also included in this year’s Hockey Day is a ‘Backyard Rink’ photo contest with even more memorabilia, tickets and recognition at stake.
For the most up to date information about all the activities surrounding Hockey Day in Michigan, check out the Hockey Day in Michigan Facebook page by clicking here. To get involved or to have your event included in the list of happenings around the state on CCHA.com, please contact Sparky Nitchman of the CCHA at snitchman@ccha.com or call the CCHA Office at (248) 888-0600.