Rockford to Host 2026 AHL All‑Star Classic and Hall of Fame Induction

The American Hockey League is bringing its midseason showcase to Rockford, Illinois, for the 2026 AHL All‑Star Classic, presented by BMO, a two‑day festival that pairs on-ice spectacle with a Hall of Fame induction and downtown fan programming. The league and the Rockford IceHogs confirmed the schedule and several marquee elements as teams and players prepare for the Feb. 10-11 weekend.

The on‑ice slate begins with the AHL All‑Star Skills Competition on Tuesday, February 10, followed by the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. inside the Coronado Theatre on Wednesday, February 11, and the 2026 AHL All‑Star Challenge that evening. The IceHogs and league have also slated pregame block parties in downtown Rockford and postgame parties at Hard Rock Casino‑Rockford to extend the weekend beyond the rink.

The 2026 AHL Hall of Fame class will include Chris Bourque, Alexandre Giroux, Jim Wiemer and Wendell Young. The induction ceremony will also recognize All‑Star Classic Honorary Captains and Blackhawks Stanley Cup champions Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg. Nicole Briscoe, the Roscoe, Illinois native and ESPN SportsCenter anchor who began her television career at WREX‑TV in Rockford and has worked in various ESPN roles since 2008, will emcee the Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony.

Team rosters for the showcase are beginning to take shape. The Charlotte Checkers announced defenseman Tobias Bjornfot and forward Jack Devine as their representatives, marking the first All‑Star selections for both players and the ninth time the franchise has placed multiple skaters on the All‑Star roster. Bjornfot, 24, has recorded one goal and six assists with a plus‑six rating in 22 games for Charlotte this season; he was recalled by the Florida Panthers on January 4 and had not played for Charlotte since December 30. Devine, who joined the Checkers after the 2024-25 regular season, won two NCAA national championships at the University of Denver (2021-22, 2023-24) and led the NCAA last season with 44 assists and 57 points.

The league also unveiled the 2026 All‑Star Classic jerseys that players will wear during the events. Beyond uniforms and exhibitions, the All‑Star Classic serves as a development and discovery platform: historically, more than 94 percent of All‑Star Classic participants since 1995 have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, a roll call that includes names such as Mikko Rantanen, Connor Hellebuyck, William Nylander and J.T. Miller.

For fans and local business partners, the Rockford weekend offers both on‑ice entertainment and hospitality upside. The combination of a Coronado Theatre induction ceremony, downtown block parties and Hard Rock Casino postgame events aims to create a multi‑venue spectacle that drives hotel stays, F&B revenue and expanded exposure for the IceHogs market.

As the league finalizes rosters, jersey imagery and event logistics, fans should watch official team and AHL channels for ticketing, party access and block party details. The Feb. 10-11 weekend will be the next chance for AHL talent to shine on a national stage while Rockford plays host to the league’s history and future.