LOVELAND, Colo – Not since the opening night of the Budweiser Events Center back in 2003, when the Colorado Avalanche played the Florida Panthers, have two NHL teams graced the Colorado Eagles home ice.
On September 23rd the Phoenix Coyotes will play an exhibition game against the Tampa Bay Lightning here in northern Colorado. The game will be hosted by the CHL’s Colorado Eagles Organization.
Coach Kevin McClelland of the Eagles spent the best years of his NHL career protecting his former Edmonton Oiler teammate, Wayne Gretzky, while earning 4 Stanley Cup rings. Gretzky, possibly the best NHLer ever, is now the Managing Partner, Alternate Governer and Head Coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.
Former NHL goalie great, Grant Fuhr, was a teammate as well as road roommate of McClelland. Fuhr is now the Coyotes goalie coach.
President, GM, and former Eagles coach, Chris Stewart’s connections to the Tampa Bay Lightning organization include his brother-in-law Jim Hammet who is now the Director of Player Personnel and Len Barrie, one of the Tampa Bay team owners, is a former Canadian Jr. Hockey player coached by Stewart.
Certainly these associations and friendships helped in choosing the Eagles venue for this exhibition game.
Tickets for the NHL preseason game between the Phoenix Coyotes and the Tampa Bay Lightning on September 23 at the Budweiser Events Center will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m.
contact the author at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com
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