Brown and Megna named playing captains for 2026 AHL All-Star

AHL President and CEO Scott Howson selected Providence Bruins forward Patrick Brown and Colorado Eagles forward Jayson Megna as the playing captains for the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic, the league announced Jan. 7. The event, which includes a skills competition, Hall of Fame induction and awards, and the All-Star Challenge, is set for Feb. 10-11 in Rockford, Ill.

Brown earns the honor as recognition of veteran leadership. The announcement highlighted his multiple AHL seasons, previous captaincy experience and a strong scoring pace for Providence this season. Megna was chosen for his long AHL career and his leadership role as Colorado’s captain, marking the selection as a nod to sustained service and clubhouse influence across the circuit.

Naming playing captains matters beyond a ceremonial C. For teammates and coaches, it sends a league-wide message that experience and leadership carry weight in showcase settings where veterans mentor younger call-ups. For fans, Brown and Megna provide familiar faces to follow through weekend events: both players are likely to be central to team huddles, media availability and on-ice leadership during the All-Star Challenge and skills segments.

The All-Star Classic format offers a condensed slate of community-facing moments: a skills competition that showcases individual tools, the Hall of Fame induction and awards that celebrate career contributions, and the All-Star Challenge team play that highlights chemistry and competitiveness. Rockford will host players, staff and fans during the Feb. 10-11 weekend, creating opportunities for local outreach, autograph sessions and on-ice promotion of AHL hockey in a nonregular-season setting.

This selection continues a league tradition of recognizing players who combine performance with service. Brown’s scoring pace for Providence positions him as a hot-hand presence at the event, while Megna’s long tenure in the AHL and captaincy of Colorado give him credibility as a mentor figure for younger prospects. Both profiles fit the All-Star Classic’s mix of celebration and competition, where seasoned pros meet emerging talent.

The takeaway? Expect leadership to be on display as much as highlight-reel plays. If you’re heading to Rockford or watching at home, look for veteran decision-making in high-pressure skills moments and intangibles, line choices, faceoff assignments and bench talk, that don’t show up on the scoresheet but shape the weekend. Our two cents? Arrive early for the skills sessions, follow the captains’ interactions with rookies, and enjoy a weekend that puts AHL leadership and community connections front and center.