BREAKING: San Jose to Host 2019 NHL All-Star Weekend

21 years ago this month, Teal Town played host to the biggest stars in the National Hockey League.  Next year, the Capital of Silicon Valley will get to do it again.  Multiple sources have told TealTownUSA.com that SAP Center at San Jose will be home of the 2019 NHL All-Star Weekend.  The official announcement will come in the next week, if not sooner.

According to our sources, San Jose beat out Anaheim for the mid-season classic.  Rare that a city that has hosted an All-Star weekend, let alone a recent league event (2015 NHL Stadium Series) would get another so quickly.  However, given the extensive track record the Shark Tank has for hosting big events, including the hugely successful Super Bowl 50 Media Night in 2016, might have swayed league officials to Northern California.  It does help that multiple personnel from the Sharks game presentation staff have international and Olympic experience putting on such noteworthy events.

Back in October, on a special edition of the Pucknologists, AJ Strong asked then Sharks Sports & Entertainment Chief Operation Officer (now SS&E Co-President) John Tortora about the likelihood of an NHL All-Star Weekend or league event returning to San Jose.

San Jose will also likely host a hockey festival full of fun events.  This year in Tampa Bay, it is being held outside.  In 1997, the NHL had a Fan Fest at San Jose McEnery Convention Center.  Something of that fold will take place.  There is also a red carpet arrival and an autograph alley.  Things have changed in 21 years!

The weekend usually takes place during the weekend prior to the Super Bowl. Commissioner Gary Bettman tends to tell when and where the next All-Star city is in his State of the League Address at the All-Star Weekend prior to the Skills Competition on the Saturday of the weekend.  The exception was last year because of the uncertainty of the NHL’s participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics.  Tampa Bay was awarded the 2018 All-Star Weekend at last year’s Stanley Cup Final.

Nonetheless, be ready to make hotel plans, open up a weekend in January, and here’s to some really cool All-Star jerseys in Deep Pacific Teal!  San Jose is once again an All-Star City.