Arizona Rubber

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Prescott Valley Event Center to host 2016 Desert Hockey Classic

 

Arizona State University has announced the 2nd Annual Desert Hockey Classic will be hosted at the Prescott Valley Event Center on Dec. 30-31, 2016.

The four-team tournament will include the University of Connecticut, Brown University and St. Cloud State. The Sun Devils will play Brown for their first game of the tournament on Friday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.

“The thought process in going up to Prescott all started last summer when we went up there for the Sun Devil Caravan,” said ASU coach Greg Powers. “There was a serious appetite from the alumni in Prescott to have us play a game or a series of games there. We knew our club team was going to play NAU at the Prescott Valley Event Center last year, so I wanted to gauge the success of that experience. They drew over 3,500 people for the club game, proving it was a great opportunity for us to spread our brand throughout the state. It’s a great hockey town and great hockey tradition. They have a beautiful facility and feel it is a great opportunity to expose them to Division I college hockey with the Desert Hockey Classic.”

The 5,100-seat Prescott Valley Event Center was once home to the Arizona Sundogs of the Central Hockey League from 2006-14. The league was eventually absorbed by the ECHL, one of only two minor leagues affiliated with the NHL.

“It’s a great venue for college hockey and I think it’s a great opportunity for people in the northern half of the state to be exposed to Division I hockey – and not just Arizona State, but three other tremendous programs,” said Powers. “We can’t wait to get up there.”

The tournament will kick off between St. Cloud State and UConn at 4 p.m. on Friday, with tickets earning entry to both games on the same day. Saturday’s games will be at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., with the Sun Devils playing in the late slot no matter the opponent.

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