Background
The 58th National Hockey League All-Star Game was originally scheduled to be hosted by the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona. However, due to the on-going bankruptcy case, potential ownership changes in the Coyotes organization, and the possibility of relocation, the NHL decided to reopen bidding to host the game. In the bidding process 14 teams made bids for All-Star Games or NHL Drafts for the next three years. Out of all the bids the NHL chose the Carolina Hurricanes to be the new host team and on April 7, 2010 the announcement was made by Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner, and Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Hurricanes.
The awarding of the All-Star game fulfilled a nine-year-old promise Bettman made to the city of Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2001 he promised the organization that they would host an All-Star game if the season ticket base reached 12,000. After reaching that plateau Bettman indicated that other community assets were still required to secure a bid. Most notably a proper convention center for ancillary events was needed along with a 4-star hotel, which was completed in 2009 with the new Raleigh Convention Center and adjoining Raleigh Marriott City Center in downtown Raleigh.
Three months after receiving the All-Star game, the Hurricanes unveiled the logo for the 2011 game. The logo was designed with some homage to the host team and city hidden within it. The shape of the logo is similar to the Hurricanes primary logo, along with the team colors of red, black, and silver. The banners at the top and bottom of the logo are inspired by the state flag of North Carolina.
The NHL and the city of Raleigh also presented a three-day festival to coincide with All-Star weekend called 'NHL All-Star Wide Open'. The festivities include a series of free concerts, headlined by the band 3 Doors Down, interactive games and attractions, special appearances, Hockey Hall of Fame trophy and memorabilia displays, pin trading and trading card zones, and a street party similar to the city's own annual festival, 'Raleigh Wide Open'. There was also a charity 5K fun run, starting and ending at RBC Center with the Carolina Hurricanes "Kids 'N Community Foundation" being the beneficiary of the raised funds.
Read more about this topic: 58th National Hockey League All-Star Game
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