SAN ANTONIO (March 19, 2013) – The San Antonio Rampage announced today that the Florida Panthers will face off against the Dallas Stars in a National Hockey League (NHL) preseason matchup on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at the AT&T Center.

“Hosting a National Hockey League game between our affiliate, the Florida Panthers, and the Dallas Stars will give our entire community a terrific opportunity to watch some of the best hockey players in the world right here in San Antonio,” said Rich Pych, Spurs Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations. “This preseason game at the AT&T Center will also allow Rampage fans to reconnect with some of the players they watched develop in San Antonio who are now competing at the highest level in the NHL.”

The game will feature top NHL talent as the Panthers and the Stars face off in a preseason exhibition leading up to the 2013-14 NHL season. It will be the first NHL matchup to be played at the AT&T Center in the 11-year history of the arena and the third NHL preseason game to be played in San Antonio. The Dallas Stars faced off against the Los Angeles Kings in back-to-back seasons at the Alamodome in 1994 and 1995. The Stars defeated the Kings, 3-2, on Sept. 27, 1994. The following year, on Sept. 26, 1995, Dallas claimed a 4-2 victory over the Kings. Hockey Hall of Fame forward Wayne Gretzky participated in both prior preseason matchups.

“The Florida Panthers are excited about playing an NHL preseason game in San Antonio, the home of our AHL affiliate,” said Mike Santos, Assistant General Manager of the Florida Panthers. “This game will provide San Antonio Rampage fans the opportunity to experience NHL hockey up close.”

The Panthers and Stars faced off in two preseason matchups in September 2011. The two teams were scheduled to play a preseason game leading up to the 2012-13 season at AT&T Center. However, the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association led to the cancellation of the game.

The Rampage serve as the top affiliate of the Florida Panthers and 13 players who have donned the Silver and Black have been recalled to the Panthers this season. Tickets for the game go on sale to the general public on Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m. Lower level tickets start at $20. For more information visit sarampage.com.

ABOUT THE RAMPAGE
The Rampage is one of four professional sports franchises owned and operated by Spurs Sports & Entertainment – the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), the Silver Stars (WNBA) and the Austin Toros (NBA D-League) – and plays its home games at the SS&E operated AT&T Center. The 2012-13 season marks the Rampage’s 11th season in the AHL. In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams with more than 87 percent of today's NHL players being AHL graduates.