NHL Network today announced that it will broadcast six regular-season American Hockey League games in February and March. As the playoff races heat up and Calder Cup contenders emerge, hockey fans will have to opportunity to follow their favorite AHL clubs on national television.

The Mirabito Outdoor Classic, the American Hockey League’s first-ever outdoor game, will be the first game on NHL Network’s AHL schedule. The Syracuse Crunch will host the Binghamton Senators in HD on February 20 at 1:00 p.m. ET at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.

Subsequent NHL Network broadcasts will give fans a chance to see two clubs who are playing in their inaugural AHL seasons -- the Abbotsford Heat and Texas Stars. NHL Network will be on hand on March 21, when Abbotsford plays at the Toronto Marlies and on March 28, when the Chicago Wolves play host to Texas. The Lake Erie Monsters will play twice on NHL Network -- at home against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Feb. 27 and then at Chicago on March 7. The Griffins also take on their North Division rivals, the Rochester Americans, in an afternoon match on March 14.
 
In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 NHL Clubs. This season, 85 percent of all NHL players are AHL graduates -- including Boston Bruins teammates Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara, winners of the 2008-09 Vezina and Norris Trophies, respectively, and Marc-Andre Fleury from the 2009 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Through the years, the American Hockey League has been the proving ground for some of the greatest players in the game’s history. There are 135 AHL alumni set to play in the 2010 Winter Olympics Games in Vancouver this month, and more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame -- including players, coaches, executives and officials -- have been affiliated with the AHL during their careers.

AHL on NHL Network Broadcast Schedule

Date                                Away                            Home                       Time
Saturday, Feb. 20      Binghamton                  Syracuse                 1:00 ET (at New York State Fairgrounds)
Saturday, Feb. 27     Grand Rapids                Lake Erie                7:30 ET
Sunday, Mar. 7          Lake Erie                       Chicago                  4:00 ET
Sunday, Mar. 14        Grand Rapids                Rochester              3:00 ET
Sunday, Mar. 21        Abbotsford                      Toronto                   1:00 ET (US only)
Sunday, Mar. 28        Texas                              Chicago                   4:00 ET 
 
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As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games. The network’s daily signature show - NHL On The Fly - offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games, including goals, shootouts, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special coverage from NHL events. Additional programming includes simulcast of Sirius XM Radio’s “NHL Live” which broadcasts Mon-Fri from NHL Powered By Reebok, international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs. NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable or satellite providers. For more information log on to nhlnetwork.com.