| Hockey Heaven: Articles AHL announces All-Star roster |
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Thursday, December 16, 1999 SPRINGFIELD, MA -- The American Hockey League announced today the roster of the PlanetUSA AHL All-Stars to compete in the 2000 Kodak AHL All-Star Classic. Sixteen of the AHL's 19 member clubs are represented on the 23-player roster. Team captain Craig Ferguson, selected by the fans to be a starter, will lead the PlanetUSA squad along with last year's Calder Cup Champion head coach Peter Laviolette. The starting line-ups were selected by the fans through the First USA AHL All-Star Balloting Program in the U.S. based AHL markets and the Dodge AHL All-Star Fan Balloting Program in Canadian based AHL markets. Fans also registered votes on the AHL's official web site at THEAHL.com and at participating Dodge dealerships throughout Canada. A committee of AHL coaches selected the remainder of the roster. The 2000 Kodak AHL All-Star Classic is an exciting showcase of events featuring the talents of the young stars developing their skills in the AHL. Last season's Classic saw a thrilling overtime win by PlanetUSA in a shootout. Of the 184 players who have participated in the event since 1995, 153 have been recalled to play in the NHL (83%). The 2000 Kodak AHL All-Star Classic features the Canadian AHL All-Stars battling the PlanetUSA AHL All-Stars. The AHL All-Star Skills Competition will take place on Sunday, January 16th and will be televised on Comcast SportsNet, NESN, FOX Sports Ohio, Empire Sports Network and MSG in the United States and in Canada on TSN. The AHL All-Star Game will be held on Monday, January 17th and televised live on ESPN2 in the United States and on TSN and RDS in Canada. 2000 PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team starters: MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF - Goaltender, Kentucky Thoroughblades: Kiprusoff has helped lead the T-blades to first place in the AHL and he currently ranks second overall in the League in both save percentage (.931) and goals against average (2.06). The 23 year-old Finland native is one of four rookies on the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star roster. CHRIS O'SULLIVAN - Defense, Syracuse Crunch: Appearing in his second straight AHL All-Star Classic, O'Sullivan leads the Crunch and ranks third among all AHL defensemen with 22 points (7-15) in 19 games. The second round draft choice (30th overall) is currently on recall with the Vancover Canucks. DAN TREBIL - Defense, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks: The Bloomington, MN native ranks third on the Mighty Ducks with 20 points (5-15) in 24 games. His strong defense has helped the team to allow only 76 goals against, which is second best in the League. This will mark Trebil's first AHL All-Star Classic appearance. CRAIG FERGUSON - Forward, Louisville Panthers: Named team captain on December 10 for his strong leadership abilities, Ferguson has proven his scoring abilities as well, ranking second in the League with 17 goals and sixth overall with 29 points (17-12). Playing in his first AHL All-Star Classic, Ferguson will attempt to lead the PlanetUSA AHL All-Stars to back-to-back victories at the annual event. PETER FERRARO - Forward, Providence Bruins: Last yearŐs Calder Cup Playoff MVP will be appearing in his second AHL All-Star Classic. The New York Rangers' first choice (24th overall) in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft currently ranks second on the Providence Bruins with 23 points (9-14) in as many games. Ferraro was named Sher-Wood AHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 14. ALEXANDRE VOLCHKOV - Forward, Portland Pirates: A first round draft pick (4th overall) of Washington in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, Volchkov has been a key contributor for the Pirates posting 14 points (4-10) in 21 games. He has helped guide his club to one of the best road records in the League at 10-3-3. This will be Volchkov's first AHL All-Star appearance.
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