Atlantic Hockey and Blue Cross Arena Extend Contract

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HAVERHILL, Mass. --  Atlantic Hockey Commissioner, Bob DeGregorio, and Blue Cross Arena General Manager, Jeff Calkins, have announced today an extension of the current deal which would have the Atlantic Hockey Championship Tournament being played at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y. through 2010.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Atlantic Hockey Tournament began at the Blue Cross Arena in 2006 with the semifinals and finals being played.  Air Force defeated Army, 6-2 to earn the automatic bid for Atlantic Hockey into the NCAA Tournament.  Last season, Air Force was once again victorious in the finals.  This time the Falcons defeated Mercyhurst, 5-4 (2 OT).

"The last two years we have been at the Blue Cross Arena have exceeded expectations," says Commissioner DeGregorio.  "Jeff and his staff have done an excellent job in providing Atlantic Hockey with the best venue to promote its tournament.  We enjoy this relationship and hope that the Atlantic Hockey Championships continues to grow in popularity at the Blue Cross Arena."

"On behalf of SMG and the City of Rochester, we are pleased with the commitment made by Commissioner DeGregorio to make Rochester the home of the Atlantic Hockey Championship," says Calkins.  "The tournament is quickly becoming a tradition in our community and we are proud to continue our partnership with Atlantic Hockey."

The Atlantic Hockey Association was founded on June 30, 2003 and currently consists of the following members: Air Force Academy, American International College, Army, Bentley College, Canisius College, the University of Connecticut, the College of the Holy Cross, Mercyhurst College, Rochester Institute of Technology and Sacred Heart University.