The bmibaby Elite Ice Hockey League has confirmed that an All-Star Spectacular will be held at the Coventry Skydome in February 2009.

All ten clubs in the bmibaby Elite League will be represented in a North v South format.

Last season's League Champion coach Paul Thompson of Coventry Blaze and Playoff Champion Coach Dave Matsos of Sheffield Steelers have been invited to lead the respective squads and both have jumped at the chance to pit their wits against each other with star-studded squads.

Coach Thompson will guide the South, with Coach Matsos taking the reins of the North, and it will be their task to each select a 20-player roster. Thompson will select from the playing staff of Basingstoke, Cardiff, Coventry, Hull and Nottingham, while Matsos will have players from Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield to choose from.

An Elite League spokesperson said: "We’re keen to promote the All-Star game as a true representation of the quality around the Elite League squads and both coaches readily agreed to select two British players and two Import players from each of their feeder squads to make up the 20-man rosters.

"Both Thommo and Dave were delighted to be asked and readily agreed, and the idea of going up against each other with independent rosters obviously appeals to them both. Both are extremely competitive and this All-Star game promises to be special."

The All-Star game will take place on Thursday February 19th at the Coventry Skydome with a 7.30pm face-off, and tickets will go on sale on Thursday December 4th priced at £15 for Adults; £7 for U-16; £10 for Concessions and Family Tickets (2 Adults and 2 U-16) at £38. Both coaches will keep the country advised of their squad selections over the course of the coming weeks in the build-up to what promises to be a competitive skills showcase for the bmibaby Elite League.