ALBANY, N.Y. -- ECAC Hockey announced today that it has reach an agreement with the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority and SMG Management Group to conduct its annual men's championship at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.  The agreement is a three-year term and is set to begin in March, 2011. 

Click here to view photo gallery of Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall

Boardwalk Hall will be only the fifth location to host the championship in the league's history.  The inaugural year of the special two-day tournament in Boardwalk Hall will be the 50th anniversary of the historic collegiate event.  The championship has previously been conducted at Boston Arena (1962-67), Boston Garden (1968-92), Olympic Arena in Lake Placid, NY (1993-02), and Times Union Center (2003-09).  The event will bring the elite ECAC Hockey conference, comprised of 12 of the most prestigious men's ice hockey programs in the nation, to the city that's always turned on.

"We are very excited to partner with Atlantic City and Boardwalk Hall for our men's championship beginning in March 2011," commented ECAC Hockey Commissioner Steve Hagwell.  "From the moment we began the process of evaluating our options for the championship, the representatives of Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City clearly demonstrated that they wanted to host our championship.  They were aggressive, in a very positive manner, enthusiastic and excited about the possibility of serving as the host site." 

"On behalf of the league and its institutions, administrators, coaches, and student-athletes we would like to thank Bob Belber and his staff at the Times Union Center, the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the County and City of Albany, as well as the local businesses in the Capital Region for the tremendous support of ECAC Hockey over the last  years.  The years in Albany produced many memorable events and outcomes.  These past tournaments have merited a special place in the history of the league," remarked Hagwell.

Boardwalk Hall enjoys a life-long association with ice hockey dating back to December 28, 1929 when Ottawa faced off against the New York Rangers.  The following year saw the debut of the first of Boardwalk Hall's two home hockey teams, the Atlantic City Seagulls, who played until 1952. 

Following the $90 million renovation to Boardwalk Hall, the ECHL-affiliated Boardwalk Bullies took to the ice in October 2001 and won the Kelly Cup in 2003.  In between, an NHL pre-season game was contested in 1982, but Atlantic City hockey had its biggest audience ever in 1933.  On March 1, the Seagulls hockey team played the New York Rangers before the largest crowd at that time to see a hockey game. 22,157 people turned out for a benefit, bearing groceries and store orders for food, clothing and fuel in lieu of an admission charge.  All items were turned over to the A.C. Chapter of the American Red Cross. The pro team Rangers defeated the amateur league Sea Gulls 6 - 2.

Historic Boardwalk Hall, which first opened in 1929, received an extensive $90 million renovation and restoration to transform the building into a modern special events arena capable of variable seating for up to 14,700 people for a main stage concert or 10,300 people for hockey. It is centrally located on Atlantic City's world famous boardwalk and flanked by amenities and attractions one would expect from any other world class destination. 

"I am thrilled to have the ECAC Hockey conference in Atlantic City for the next three years," said Jeff Vasser, president of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.  "I'm a huge fan after attending an ECAC Hockey school so I've sought to bring this tournament to Atlantic City for years knowing it would be a perfect fit. Along with additional hotels and destination amenities, Atlantic City continues to expand on its offerings by adding to the entertainment featured in our world-class arena facilities. ECAC Hockey is the perfect complement to the sports already offered, including the A10 Men's Basketball Championship and NJSIAA wresting."

"On behalf of Boardwalk Hall and all of the hockey fans in our market I can say with confidence that this is an event that will be greeted with much enthusiasm," said Greg Tesone, General Manager of Boardwalk Hall/SMG. "We have long been searching for a hockey event that makes sense for us and we couldn't have asked for a better opportunity. We're proud to welcome the athletes, coaches and fans of ECAC Hockey to Atlantic City and look forward to a great relationship."

Among the new amenities to Boardwalk Hall are a new NHL regulation-sized ice rink and ice-making system; an exterior Loggia which can be used as a pre-function space or a smoking area for patrons; a spacious concourse, and wireless capabilities throughout the building.  All seats within the arena offer excellent sightlines beneath a spectacular 137' barrel-vaulted ceiling.

Boardwalk Hall is listed on the United State Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark, and the renovation has received nine architectural and engineering awards, including a 2003 National Preservation Award, Design and Construction magazine's 2002 Renovation Project of the Year, and Building magazine's 2002 Modernization Award. In 2003 and 2004  Billboard magazine recognized Boardwalk Hall as the top grossing mid-sized arena in North America.  In 2005, 2006 and 2008, Billboard and Venues Today recognized Boardwalk Hall as the highest grossing mid-sized arena in the world.

About ECAC Hockey
ECAC Hockey boasts elite student-athletes and teams from 12 of the nation's most prestigious institutions - Brown University, Clarkson University, Colgate University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, Quinnipiac University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Lawrence University, Union College, and Yale University.

About Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority
The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development.  The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall. The Authority is the first destination marketing organization in New Jersey to achieve prestigious Destination Marketing Accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association International.  For complete Atlantic City information, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com. Also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AtlanticCityNJ.

About Boardwalk Hall
Historic Boardwalk Hall, which first opened in 1929, underwent a three year, $90 million renovation to transform the building into a modern special events arena capable of variable seating for up to 14,770 people. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, Boardwalk Hall's renovation produced a glimpse into the dramatic and original Roman Renaissance style, while providing a 21st century experience in terms of comfort and amenities. Upon its reopening in 2001, it has been recognized as the destination's premier entertainment venue, known for high profile concerts, family shows, and sporting events.  SMG manages Boardwalk
Hall on behalf of its client, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.  Visit us at www.boardwalkhall.com for more information.  For destination information about Atlantic City, please visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.

For more information about ECAC Hockey, log onto www.ecachockey.com.

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