For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-992-0684
ncohan@stlouissports.org

            ST. LOUIS — April 3, 2007 – The college hockey fans are coming.  More than 19,000 of them descend on downtown this weekend for the 2007 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four at Scottrade Center.  The event, hosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission and College Hockey America, has been sold out since last summer.

With most fans coming from out-of-town, the Frozen Four will generate millions of dollars in visitor spending and account for more than 12,000 hotel room nights over Easter weekend – an otherwise quiet time for the area hospitality industry.  St. Louis will also receive significant national exposure with the semifinals airing on ESPN2 and the championship game on ESPN.  Nearly 300 media are credentialed.

The puck officially drops on the Frozen Four at 3 p.m. Thursday when Maine meets Michigan State in the first semifinal game.  (North Dakota takes on Boston College later that day at 7 p.m.)  But activities tied to the Frozen Four are already under way.  Throughout the week, St. Louis will put on a show celebrating hockey like no other host has before.  And while the games may be sold out, there are still plenty of ways area residents can enjoy the excitement of the Frozen Four.

A WEEK-LONG CELEBRATION:

St. Louis gets its shot at hosting the Men’s Frozen Four – one of the NCAA’s premier championships – for the first time since 1975.  (Back then, the event took place at the old Saint Louis Arena.)  Seizing the moment, organizers are producing several activities that will showcase the Frozen Four and hockey, involve the region’s youth hockey community, and provide a festive atmosphere for local and visiting fans:

• Festivities kicked off last night with the Pontiac Youth Skills Challenge at Scottrade Center involving 600 area players.  Organized by the St. Louis Blues, the event showcases the region’s best youth hockey players in contests such as fastest skater and hardest shot.  The finals continue Wednesday at 6 p.m., and fans can attend the event at no charge. 

• Tonight, some of college hockey’s future stars will be on display as the St. Louis Bandits Junior “A” hockey team takes on the U.S. National Development Team at Scottrade Center.  Game time is 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.  Former Blue Brett Hull will be in attendance.

• On Wednesday, fans can attend open practices for the four teams at Scottrade Center.  Practices take place from noon to 4:45 p.m.  Fans can also attend practices on Friday from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  There is no cost to attend.  In addition, fans can lace up their skates and participate in the Pontiac Open Skate from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Scottrade Center.

• Wednesday night, the Frozen Four teams will be treated to a special welcome reception at the Gateway Arch.  The “Frozen Four Face-off” is also open to fans who purchase a ticket to the event.  The “Face-off” starts at 7 p.m. and will include a brief program featuring Blues President John Davidson and ESPN commentators Barry Melrose and Gary Thorne.  All in attendance will have a chance to ride to the top of the Arch.  Food and beverages will be served.  Tickets are $75 and may be purchased by calling 314-206-7385.

• St. Louis Union Station will be a hub for activity and home to several free events.  On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Union Station will host the “Frozen Fest” featuring games, music and more from noon to 6 p.m.  Live concerts will take place in the evening all three days as part of “Postgame at the Station.”  Pep rallies, presented by Pontiac, with the team pep bands, cheer squads and mascots take place at noon Thursday and 3 p.m. Saturday.  On Friday, Union Station will host autograph sessions with the Hobey Baker Award finalists and the final two teams from 3:30 to 5 p.m.  Area youth hockey champions will be honored at 5:30 p.m. during the “Night of Champions” ceremony.  Participants will then march to Scottrade Center to attend the Pontiac Frozen Four Skills Challenge.

FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE FROZEN FOUR:

Speaking of the Pontiac Frozen Four Skills Challenge, that’s the main event for Friday Night at the Frozen Four.  Starting at 7:30 p.m., some of the nation’s top male and female college hockey players will show off their talents in an East vs. West team format.  Events include: puck control relay, fastest skater, hardest shot, rapid-fire shooting, accuracy shooting and penalty shot competition.  Purchasing a ticket ($10) to the Pontiac Frozen Four Skills Challenge also provides admission to the presentations of the prestigious Hobey Baker Award (6 p.m.) and Hockey Humanitarian Award (6:35 p.m.) as well as the announcement of the AHCA All-America teams (7:20 p.m.).  All of these events will take place at Scottrade Center.  Fans can purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 314-241-1888.  Tickets are also on sale at all Ticketmaster locations and the Scottrade Center box office.

The complete lineup of events taking place around the Frozen Four along with a schedule of all media activities appear at the end of this release.  For more information, visit the Local Organizing Committee’s official website at www.stlsports.org/hockey.

ST. LOUIS CELEBRATES A DECADE OF CHAMPIONSHIPS:

The 2007 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four is one of 10 NCAA Division I championships taking place in St. Louis this decade.  The Sports Commission and its local partners have hosted the Division I Wrestling Championships in 2000, 2004, and 2005; the 2001 Women’s Final Four; the 2005 Men’s Final Four; and the 2006 Men’s Soccer College Cup.  Still to come are the 2008 and 2009 Wrestling Championships; and the 2009 Women’s Final Four.  The 10 championships have an estimated total economic impact of $200 million.  In addition, the Sports Commission and the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission will produce the Missouri vs. Illinois State Farm Arch Rivalry football series annually starting this Labor Day weekend.  St. Louis also hosts the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 2009.

The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately funded nonprofit organization that benefits St. Louis through sports.
Its mission is to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.

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