The 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications will take place at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. The event will begin with the 2009 AHL All-Star Skills Competition presented by Charter Communications on Sun., January 25, and conclude with the 2009 AHL All-Star Game on Mon., January 26.

"Charter Communications has been a tremendous partner and supporter of the Worcester Sharks since the day we announced the franchise," said Michael T. Lehr, Sharks president and chief executive officer. "Having them as the title sponsor of the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic is another amazing example of how they support the communities they serve."

"Charter Communications is proud to support the American Hockey League and the Worcester Sharks in bringing the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic to Worcester," said Gregory A. Garabedian, vice president and general manager of Charter Communications-New England. "With almost 50 percent of the AHL markets overlapping our New England and New York markets, this is a great opportunity for both organizations to promote affordable, family entertainment."

Charter Communications, Inc., is a leading broadband communications company and the third-largest publicly traded cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services, including advanced Charter Digital Cable video entertainment programming, Charter High-Speed Internet access, and Charter Telephone. Charter Business similarly provides scalable, tailored, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, data networking, video and music entertainment services, and business telephone. Charter's advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media brand.

The 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications will feature the top young talent in the American Hockey League competing in the annual All-Star Skills Competition and the 2009 AHL All-Star Game, a two-day event to be televised nationally in the United States and Canada. Of the 455 players to take part in the AHL All-Star Classic since 1995, more than 93 percent have competed in the National Hockey League, including Patrice Bergeron, Brad Boyes, Dan Boyle, Brian Campbell, Zdeno Chara, Jonathan Cheechoo, Rick DiPietro, Jiri Hudler, Miikka Kiprusoff, Chris Kunitz, Manny Legace, Kari Lehtonen, Ryan Miller, Zach Parise, Martin St. Louis, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal and Tomas Vokoun.