Ducks to Help Open In-Line Rink in Corona, CA

The Anaheim Ducks and Anaheim Hockey Club (In-line) announced today that a new in-line rink will open in Corona, Calif., this January (2008). The rink, named the Anaheim Hockey Club of Corona, will serve as the Ducks’ official in-line facility and complement Anaheim ICE, the club’s official practice facility. Renovations are underway, which will make Anaheim Hockey Club the premiere in-line facility in Southern California.

“The expansion of both ice and in-line hockey at the youth level is critical to the future of our sport,” said Anaheim Ducks CEO Michael Schulman. “The Samuelis have made strong financial commitments in those areas over the last two years, including the renovation of the new Anaheim Hockey Club of Corona.”

Anaheim Hockey Club (AHC) will be operated by Ken Murchison, who has over 12 years experience in facility management. Murchison has 25 years tenure as a hockey player and coach and will serve as head coach to the roller hockey elite teams housed at the facility. With the Ducks support, AHC’s objective is to create a management template that will serve as a model for future in-line rinks across the region.

“We are extremely excited to venture into a partnership with the Samuelis and Anaheim Ducks that is committed to growing hockey in Southern California,” said Murchison. “This is the support our hockey community needs for long-term growth.”

AHC will assist in the growth and advancement of roller hockey in the United States, striving to provide the community with organized roller hockey in a healthy and safe environment.

AHC is now registering youth and adult players for their hockey programs. For registration information, visit www.anaheimhockeyclub.com. The facility will serve as an extension of the Ducks’ on-going efforts to promote youth hockey in Southern California by developing fans and players at a young age.

“We’re happy to support and assist with the cross-promotion of in-line and ice hockey in order to build on the growing popularity of the sport in Southern California,” said Art Trottier, General Manager of Anaheim ICE.

AHC will be comprised of two standard sized rinks (180 x 80), housed in a completely enclosed building. In addition, the building will be fully air conditioned with various amenities, making AHC the only rink of its kind in the area. It’s conveniently located adjacent to the 91 and 71 freeways in Corona, giving the facility high visibility to over 232,000 passing cars each day. The Ducks will have signage and visibility in the rink. The elite travel program, the Anaheim Bulldogs, will change their name and colors to the Jr. Ducks, giving the club national recognition in the sport of in-line hockey.

With the rink set to re-open in January 2008, renovations will be on-going with a grand opening taking place later in the year. Anaheim Hockey Club is located at 4325 Prado Rd., #101, Corona, CA 92880.