Frontier Field To Play Host to Hockey

For much of the winter season, Frontier Field sits idle. It Quietly waits for baseball's opening day.

But from December 13-22, some action is going to take center field.

"This is going to be the 6th outdoor game in the history of the AHL," said Ted Black, Rochester Americans/Buffalo Sabres President.

A regular season Rochester Americans game will kick off a week of outdoor hockey at the baseball park.

It's been a dream of Red Wings GM Dan Mason.

"When I was at that Winter Classic all I could think was how cool it would be to see a rink at Frontier field," said Dan Mason, Red Wings General Manager.

Also on the lineup: an alumni game between the Buffalo Sabres and Amerks and also an RIT hockey game.

"We are proud to be a centerpiece of this event for the coming year," said Lou Spiotti, RIT Director of Athletics.

Players like Julie Hall are thrilled.

"I can't wait. Just to bring the atmosphere from the fans and the band to bring that here is incredible," said Julie Hall, a forward on the RIT Women's Hockey team.

The hope is to sell at least 13-thousand tickets.

There are more than 10,000 seats and the plan is to add more with bleachers.

This is not just about sports.

"It's really a tourism story, we will have thousands of people coming into the community in December, which is usually a difficult month to attract visitors," said Maggie Brooks, (R) Monroe County Executive.

Amerks and red wings ticket holders will get first dibs on tickets.

Then there's also 100,000 RIT alums.

"So when you talk about finances we can make a big dent in whatever it will be from standpoint of ticket sales and sponsorship," said Spiotti.

Blocks of ice time will also be up for grabs for private parties and youth sports.

It's a first for Rochester.

"It will be something that Rochestarians remember for a long long time," said Mason.

For more information go to: www.amerks.com/outdoor