When the AHL All-Star Classic rolls into Rockford next week, the BMO Center won’t just be packed with the league’s top talent on the ice - the events surrounding the games are bringing some serious star power of their own. From iconic anthem performances to championship-caliber guests, the off-ice lineup is stacked.
Let’s start with the All-Star Skills Competition on Tuesday, February 10. Before a puck even drops, the night will open with a voice that Chicago sports fans know well: Wayne Messmer.
A fixture in the city’s sports scene for decades, Messmer will perform the national anthem - something he’s done countless times across Chicago’s biggest stages. From his longtime role as the public address announcer for the Cubs to anthem duties for the Blackhawks, White Sox, and Bears, Messmer’s voice is woven into the fabric of the city’s sports history.
These days, he’s also the Senior Executive Vice President of the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and still takes the mic for anthem performances before most home games. His presence adds a layer of tradition and gravitas to what’s already shaping up to be a high-energy night.
Then on Wednesday, February 11, the spotlight shifts to the AHL All-Star Challenge - and it’ll be another familiar voice setting the tone. Jim Cornelison, the powerful tenor behind the Blackhawks’ electric anthem traditions, will perform both “O Canada” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Cornelison has been a staple at Blackhawks games since the 2008-09 NHL season, helping turn the anthem into a full-throttle, crowd-roaring experience that’s become one of the league’s most iconic pregame moments.
Cornelison’s resume goes far beyond the United Center. He sang at the 2009 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, delivering a spine-tingling performance that introduced him to a national audience.
Since then, he’s brought his powerful voice to major sporting events across the country - from the Indianapolis 500, where he now sings “Back Home Again in Indiana,” to Ryder Cups, NFL openers, NASCAR races, and more. He’s even performed at ESPN’s Friday Night Fights and College GameDay.
For Rockford fans, his return to the BMO Center - where he last sang during the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs - will be a welcome highlight.
But the All-Star festivities don’t stop at the anthems. On Wednesday afternoon, the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony will take place at the Coronado Theatre, and another hometown name will take center stage.
ESPN SportsCenter anchor Nicole Briscoe, a Roscoe, Illinois native, will emcee the event. Briscoe’s career started just down the road at WREX-TV in Rockford before she moved on to national prominence with ESPN, where she’s covered everything from NASCAR to MLB to Formula 1.
Since 2015, she’s been a mainstay on SportsCenter, bringing credibility and charisma to the anchor desk. Her return to Rockford for this event adds a personal touch to the celebration.
Also being honored at the Hall of Fame ceremony - and playing a visible role throughout the All-Star Classic - are Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg. The two former Blackhawks were key pieces of multiple Stanley Cup runs and will serve as Honorary Captains for the All-Star events.
They’ll be behind the bench for both nights and are also slated to attend the post-event after parties at Hard Rock Casino - Rockford. For fans who remember their playoff heroics in Chicago, it’s a chance to reconnect with two of the more dynamic personalities from the Blackhawks’ golden era.
All in all, the AHL isn’t just bringing its best players to Rockford - it’s bringing a full-on celebration of hockey culture, with voices and faces that have helped define the sport in the Midwest and beyond. If you’re planning to be there, don’t wait too long - tickets for both the Skills Competition and the All-Star Challenge are moving fast and are available at icehogs.com/asc26.