Rockford, IL- In conjunction with the Rockford IceHogs, the American Hockey League has announced Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg as Honorary Captains for the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic. 

Each year the honorary captains are recognized at the annual AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony. The honorary captains also join the teams in the locker room and on the benches during the event. This year's Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony will be held at the Coronado Theater. 

Kris Versteeg spent four seasons in the AHL playing for the Providence Bruins (2005-2007), Norfolk Admirals (2006-2007), and the Rockford IceHogs (2007-08, 2019-20). Versteeg scored 128 points in 145 career games in the AHL. The Alberta native spent five seasons with the Blackhawks, winning Stanley Cups with Chicago in 2010 and 2015. Versteeg played in over 650 NHL games throughout ten seasons. 

Patrick Sharp won a Calder Cup with the Philadelphia Phantoms in 2005 and spent parts of three seasons in the AHL at the outset of his 15-year NHL career. Sharp spent 11 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, proving to be a cornerstone piece of the Blackhawks' run to three Stanley Cup titles in six years. Sharp ended his NHL career with 620 points (287G, 333A) in 939 NHL games. 

The All-Star Classic will begin Feb. 10 with the skills competition at the BMO Center, followed up by the All-Star Game on Feb. 11. IceHogs defenseman Kevin Korchinski was named the 2025 All-Star Classic MVP recording one goal and three assists in the competition. Fans can purchase their tickets to the two-day event starting Friday, December 12 here.