When the top players in the American Hockey League take the ice on January 25-26 for the 2015 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Turning Stone Resort Casino, they might not be familiar with all of their teammates, but they will be familiar with the innovative new LED lighting system at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

That’s because this season, the arena became the sixth AHL venue to install high output LED lighting fixtures from Syracuse-based Ephesus Lighting.

“A game featuring the best players in the AHL deserves to be played in the best conditions, and as most of these players can attest, the AHL arenas illuminated with Ephesus LED fixtures provide the optimal stage for events, players and fans,” said Mike Lorenz, President of Ephesus Lighting. “We know the players will play their best and the fans both at The AUD and watching on television will surely see a better game.”

AHl All Star Classic logo. (Photo Credit: Turning Stone Casino)

Ephesus Lighting was chosen to replace the antiquated metal halide system at the Aud for this season as part of the arena’s on-going renovation, underway since the AHL returned to Utica in 2013. Ephesus installed 52 Arena 600 and 24 Arena 150 fixtures plus 26 Prism lights for effects and color as well as a wireless control system to increase operational efficiency and flexibility. The new system has reduced energy costs by 75% while providing better lighting and eliminating maintenance cost. 

"We are thrilled with the new Ephesus Lighting system that was recently installed in the Aud. The improvement and enhancement of our lighting system brings not only Comets games but all special events here to another level,” said Robert Esche, President of Mohawk Valley Garden, Inc. 

Since making the War Memorial Arena in Syracuse the first arena in North America to be illuminated by LED in 2012, Ephesus Lighting luminaires have been operational for over 300,000 hours in more than 100 indoor and outdoor sports and entertainment venues across North America. In addition to the Aud and War Memorial, four other AHL venues made the switch to the Ephesus LED system last season including: the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena, home of the Binghamton (NY) Senators; Webster Bank Area, home to the Bridgeport (CT) Sound Tigers; BMO Harris Bank Center, home ice for the Rockford (IL) IceHogs; and Ricoh Coliseum, home of the Toronto Marlies.

The event will be televised nationally in Canada on Sportsnet and across the U.S. on 25 regional networks including NESN, Comcast SportsNet, MSG Network, Root Sports, Fox Sports and others to more than 100 million households.

Ephesus manufactures the brightest LED on the market and is the only arena designed lighting solution that is certified under Designed Light Consortium’s (DLC) quality, performance and energy efficiency requirements. The DLC certification enables facilities to receive energy incentives from utility providers.