PHOENIX COYOTES TO HOST 2006
NHL ALL-STAR WEEKEND AT GLENDALE ARENA

55TH NHL ALL-STAR GAME TO BE PLAYED ON FEB. 5, 2006

GLENDALE, AZ — The National Hockey League (NHL), in conjunction with the Phoenix Coyotes, Glendale Arena, and the City of Glendale officially announced today that the Phoenix Coyotes will host the 2006 NHL All-Star Weekend at Glendale Arena and venues throughout the City of Glendale and the Valley of the Sun. The event, which will take place February 4-5, 2006 will also feature the NHL Superskills Competition, the YoungStars Game, NHL All-Star FANtasy and many other receptions and festivities. It will mark the first time the event will be held in Arizona.

"We are excited about hosting the 2006 NHL All-Star Weekend in Glendale," said Coyotes Managing Partner Wayne Gretzky. "We look forward to a fabulous celebration of hockey for our great fans here in the Valley."

"The NHL is delighted to bring the 2006 NHL All-Star Game to the City of Glendale and the Valley of the Sun," added NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "We look forward to showcasing the world's greatest athletes at the 55th NHL All-Star Game, and we are excited for Arizona's hockey fans to share in this great fan experience."

The NHL All-Star Weekend is expected to attract more than 7,000 out-of-town guests to the Valley of the Sun. The total economic impact of the NHL All-Star Weekend is expected to generate $15-$18 million for the local economy. NHL guests, players, fans and participants will occupy more than 2,000 hotel rooms (on peak night), for a total of 5,000 room-nights during the weekend. In addition, more than 20,000 meals will be consumed at local restaurants and hotels. The 2006 NHL All-Star Weekend is also expected to raise more than $500,000 for charity. More than 1,500 local volunteers are likely to participate during the weekend.

Steve Ellman, Coyotes Chairman and Governor, said, "From the very beginning of the construction of Glendale Arena, securing the NHL All-Star Game was a high priority. Being given this opportunity to host the NHL's premier event is an extraordinary endorsement by the NHL to our fans, our organization, our arena, our Westgate development, and the City of Glendale. We are truly honored and grateful."

"We are absolutely thrilled to be awarded the 2006 NHL All-Star Game," said Coyotes President and COO Douglas Moss. "This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many people in our organization and our community. We are all very excited and look forward to creating the best NHL All-Star Weekend ever."

More than 700 members of the domestic and international media will attend the 2006 NHL All-Star Weekend and more than 217 countries worldwide are expected to watch the 55th NHL All-Star Game on television. The City of Glendale and the Valley of the Sun will be prominently featured in broadcasts on ABC, ESPN, CBC and SRC in North America and in many countries around the world.

"We are delighted that the NHL has chosen the City of Glendale and the Glendale Arena as the site for the 2006 NHL All-Star Game," said Glendale City Mayor Elaine Scruggs. "We look forward to hosting thousands of visitors who will enjoy the game and all of the other attractions that the City of Glendale and the Valley of the Sun has to offer."

As part of All-Star weekend, NHL All-Star FANtasy, the League's interactive hockey theme park that provides fans with the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, action and excitement of the National Hockey League, will be held on the Westgate City Center grounds outside Glendale Arena from Tuesday, January 31 through Sunday, February 5, 2006.

"We are excited about giving our fans an opportunity to participate in this great fan event," added Moss. "As part of our agreement with the NHL, we are pleased to announce that all Coyotes season ticket holders will be given an opportunity to purchase tickets to one of the weekend's events."

The official 2006 NHL All-Star Game logo and ticket information regarding the 2006 NHL All-Star Weekend hosted by the Phoenix Coyotes will be provided at a later date.