HOUSTON LANDS '96 IHL ALL-STAR GAME

     The IHL Wednesday selected Houston as the next sight of the
league's all-star game.  According to Aeros GM Steve Patterson,
the Aeros' staff is very capable of handling the festivities.
Patterson:  "Part of what made Houston attractive was the Aero's
staff, many of whom were Rockets employees when the NBA All-Star
Game was in Houston in 1989."  Included in the Aeros' proposal
was having the game over a weekend to "accomodate a two day
'Fanfest', something that has been successful in other sports but
never attempted in hockey."  The game has traditionally been held
during the week so teams don't have to forfeit "valuable weekend
dates at home" (Jody Goldstein, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/19).