NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was in Toronto yesterday
and unveiled an "elaborate schedule of events" for the 2000
All-Star Game, according to USA TODAY's Kevin Allen, who
writes that events will begin on January 21 and culminate
with the February 6 All-Star Game. Among the league's All-
Star initiatives is a Canadian outdoor pickup game that will
run 24 hours a day starting January 31 "until a team is no
longer able to put enough players on the ice," and a
February 4 exhibition game between the Canadian and U.S.
women's national teams. Allen, on Toronto serving as host
of the event: "It made no sense to be anywhere else" (USA
TODAY, 10/13). The NATIONAL POST's Alan Adams writes that
the event "will be like no other, and it will be difficult
to beat." The NHL's schedule of events is "ambitious," and
the league is "reaching out to the hockey community at all
levels" to help mark the event (NATIONAL POST, 10/13).
TICKET MASTERS? In Toronto, Mark Zwolinski writes that
tickets to the All-Star Game "will be split" between the
league and Maple Leafs season ticket holders, "freezing out
the general public." Maple Leafs Senior VP/Business Tom
Anselmi: "With the methodology we have (of dividing the
number of tickets) it was going to be very tough. We hope
we've come up with the fairest possible way." The NHL "will
take up to" 8,000 of 18,800 seats at Air Canada Centre.
Meanwhile, for Maple Leafs season ticket holders, those
whose subscriptions dated from '30-'60 "will be offered two
tickets" to the Saturday skills competition, and Sunday's
All-Star game. Those with subscriptions date after '60
"will be involved in a random draw" (TORONTO STAR, 10/13).
Also in Toronto, David Shoalts notes that tickets will now
be sold separately for Saturday's and Sunday's events.
Previously, one All-Star Game ticket granted admission to
all events. Tickets for Saturday's events range from C$75
to C$90, while Sunday's All-Star Game tickets are priced at
C$160 and C$185 (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/13). Anselmi:
"It's a time when you wish the [Air Canada Centre] seated
40,000, not 18,800. We certainly hope we're not (alienating
the public)." Maple Leafs President Ken Dryden, who sent a
letter to season ticket holders explaining the situation:
"(The ticket issue) was like putting a square peg in a round
hole. We looked at it a long time. This was the only
resolution we could see" (TORONTO SUN, 10/13).
HITTING THE ICEWAYS: The NHL, along with hockey apparel
company CCM, unveiled the official team jerseys for the
event. The jerseys are highlighted by contrasting
goalie/skater jersey colors and patterns, similar to the
different colored jerseys worn by soccer goalies and field
players. They also include knitted inserts throughout the
center of the jersey featuring the official NHL shield,
along with the striped look of a typical rugby jersey. They
will be available at sporting goods stores and hockey
specialty shops (CCM). The NHL and Action Sports America
used two 15-foot jersey replicas to make the presentation.
The replicas will be at retail stores this season (ASA).
ANYBODY HOME? HELLO, MR. MAYOR! In Toronto, Bill
Lankhof writes that while Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman joined
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman at yesterday's press
conference, "it would have been a nice gesture if [someone]
had woken him up before he got there." When thanking
Bettman, Lastman turned and said, "It is Gary isn't it?"
Lastman then tried to promote the event and stopped to ask,
"It's in February isn't it?" But Lankhof gives Bettman
kudos as he later went to the podium, turned to Lastman and
"deadpans," "It is mayor, isn't it?" (TORONTO SUN, 10/13).
