SPRINGFIELD -- Three years ago, the city appeared to lose its AHL franchise for good.

Now, for the first time in league history, Springfield will host the 2019 Lexus AHL All-Star Classic on Sunday, Jan. 27, and Monday, Jan. 28, at the MassMutual Center.

The skill competition takes place Sunday at 7 p.m., followed by the All-Star Challenge Monday, also at 7 p.m.

"If I had told you back when we purchased the team and brought them back to Springfield that we were going to host the All-Star game in our third year, I wouldn't have believed you," Thunderbirds president Nathan Costa said. "I knew from the beginning we would have success if we stuck to our principles, but I didn't know it would come this far and that's a true testament to our community for their support."

That community came very close to losing its hockey team in 2016.

Following the Springfield Falcons relocation to Tucson, Ariz., after the 2015-16 season, it appeared the city wouldn't have an AHL team for the first time since 1936.

Then, an idea was proposed.

"Paul Picknelly stepped up and made the decision that it wasn't right to not have hockey in this market anymore," Costa said. "So when the Pirates were getting ready to step down, Paul started making some calls and helped make this happen."

By June 2016, the Springfield Thunderbirds became the city's official replacement thanks in large to their new NHL affiliate -- the Florida Panthers. Among those grateful for the move was American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews.

"Keeping hockey in Springfield was important to the league," Andrews said. "Springfield has been one of the charter franchises in the American Hockey League for many years. But I give all the credit in the world to Paul (Picknelly) because he was immediately on the phone trying to meet with me, find out their options, how quickly they could go about acquiring another franchise and locating it into the city."

Now halfway through their third season, prior promotional events such as "David Ortiz Night" and their annual "Not All Heroes Wear Capes Night" have been integral to the team's success.

The team's partnership with MGM Springfield, which opened in August 2018, jumpstarted the revitalization of the downtown area. In Andrews' opinion, it only helped separate themselves from the competition come decision time.

"I think with help from new owners of the team, and most importantly, the fan support we've seen for the team over the last couple years has indicated that the city would support an event of this magnitude," he said. "MGM's opening clearly caught our attention because there's a great hotel property for hosting events, there's the casino and a terrific building with all new upgrades installed as well.

"It has everything one would look for when hosting a national event such as this."

To make matters sweeter, the Thunderbirds will be represented by Samuel Montembeault and Anthony Greco, who replaced Henrik Borgstrom's spot on the Atlantic Division's roster.

"Honestly, you have to give much credit to our front offices, such as general manager Eric Joyce and head coach Geordie Kinnear because they work with these guys on a day-to-day basis," he said. "To see two of our guys that have worked so hard over the last two years to be put on a pedestal as AHL All-Stars in our city is an exciting time."

This year's Classic will mark its 25th year in existence following its reintroduction back in 1995. As select members from each of the AHL's 31 teams prepare to showcase their talents over nationally broadcasted television through Sunday's All-Star Skills Challenge and Monday's All-Star Challenge, Andrews looks forward to introducing the AHL's talent to a broader audience.

"Right now, we have a nationally televised opportunity for two nights in a row for all across the U.S., Canada and even parts of Europe," he said. "Ever since we started re-doing the All-Star Game back in the mid-1990s, it's been our duty to introduce the talent within our league, the quality of the players and the integrity of each city."

In the end, Costa hopes to create memories for fans to cherish over a lifetime.

"I feel like the crowd has grown tremendously over the years and we can thank the kids and their families for coming to support us each night," he said. "When you walk down the fan tunnel, and you see a kid high-five a player, and it brings them to tears, those are the things we're continuously striving for."