The following players are eligible to play in the 2010 AFHL All-Star Game based on Olympic Rosters. All-Star Coaches must select: 3 Centers, 3 Left Wingers, 3 Right Wingers, 1 Utility, 4 Defensemen, and 2 Goalies.
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Head Coach: Daryn Beckman – Phantoms
Assistant Coach: Mike Bassett – Stars
Saku Koivu (C) Stars
Mikko Koivu (C) Killers
Sidney Crosby (C) Phantoms
Evgeni Malkin (C) Giants
Patrick Marleau (C) Phantoms
Joe Pavelski (C) Chiefs
Ryan Kesler (C) Killers
Mike Richards (C) Power
Niklas Backstrom (C) Leg Hounds
Bobby Ryan (LW) Supermen
Ilya Kovalchuk (LW) Killers
Marco Sturm (LW) Bruins
Patrik Elias (LW) Supermen
Brendan Morrow (LW) Gladiators
Corey Perry (RW) Chiefs
Teemu Selanne (RW) Stars
Jarome Iginla (RW) Stars
Marian Hossa (RW) Phantoms
Maxim Afinogenov (RW) Bruins
Loui Eriksson (RW) Phantoms
J. Langenbrunner (RW) Supermen
Marian Gaborik (RW) Giants
Phil Kessel (RW) Gladiators
Pavel Kubina (D) Chiefs
Tobias Enstrom (D) Giants
Scott Niedermayer (D) Supermen
Brent Seabrook (D) Chiefs
Brian Rafalski (D) Stars
Nicklas Lidstrom (D) Phantoms
Marek Zidlicky (D) Giants
Mark Streit (D) Supermen
Chris Pronger (D) Stars
Sergei Gonchar (D) Supermen
Erik Johnson (D) Power
Tim Thomas (G) Bruins
Miikka Kiprusoff (G) Killers
Nicklas Backstrom (G) Giants
Martin Brodeur (G) Stars
Henrik Lundqvist (G) Chiefs
Roberto Luongo (G) Supermen
CANADIAN CONFERENCE
Head Coach: Ben Rauscher – Heroes
Assistant Coach: Blake Wilson – Mustangs
Ryan Getzlaf (C) Hellstars
Patrice Bergeron (C) Mustangs
Olli Jokinen (C) Wolves
Eric Staal (C) Heroes
Jonathan Toews (C) Red Wings
Henrik Zetterberg (C) Red Wings
Pavel Datsyuk (C) Red Wings
Michal Handzus (C) Wolves
Joe Thornton (C) Outlaws
Henrik Sedin (C) Heroes
Rick Nash (LW) Mustangs
Zach Parise (LW) Mustangs
Dany Heatley (LW) Storm
Daniel Sedin (LW) Heroes
Patrick Kane (RW) Kings
Dustin Brown (RW) Red Wings
Antti Miettinen (RW) Heroes
Alexander Ovechkin (RW) Leafs
Tomas Holmstrom (RW) Outlaws
Zdeno Chara (D) Leafs
Joni Pitkanen (D) Leafs
Drew Doughty (D) Kings
Duncan Keith (D) Red Wings
Jack Johnson (D) Red Wings
Andrei Markov (D) Wolves
Shea Weber (D) Hellstars
Ryan Suter (D) Storm
Kimmo Timonen (D) Leafs
Dan Boyle (D) Heroes
Tomas Kaberle (D) Heroes
Jonas Hiller (G) Mustangs
Ryan Miller (G) Heroes
Jon Quick (G) Hellstars
Marc-Andre Fleury (G) Red Wings
Ilya Bryzgalov (G) Heroes
Evgeni Nabokov (G) Leafs
Ben Rauscher and Daryn Beckman announced their starting lineups Wednesday for the midseason classic, and the star players that were chosen truly are amazing.
Alexander Ovechkin, the AFHL’s leading point-getter, was one of three Oshawa City Leafs chosen to represent the Canadian Conference at the All-Star Game next week. He was chosen along with teammates Zdeno Chara and goaltender Evgeni Nabokov.
Joining Ovechkin on offense are Joe Thornton and Henrik Sedin, giving the Canadian Conference three of the top four point-getters in the league this season.
“This is an unbelievable honor,” said Thornton, who was given an All-Star jersey Wednesday at the Outlaws’ morning skate in Hamilton, Ontario. “It’s going to be a great experience to play in the first ever AFHL All-Star Game and it will be a lot of fun.”
The American Conference starting lineup, announced late last night, consists of forwards Sidney Crosby and Marian Hossa of the Phantoms, and goalie Martin Brodeur, defensemen Chris Pronger and Sergei Gonchar, and forward Marian Gaborik of the Giants.
“Next week, the world’s greatest players will go to Detroit, one of the world’s great hockey cities, to help celebrate the first ever AFHL All-Star Game,” Phantoms coach Daryn Beckman said in announcing the American Conference lineup. “I had the pleasure of choosing 16 players to represent our conference and I can tell you it was an absolute honor. I look forward to watching the stars of today.”
Here’s a look at the rest of the starting lineups for both teams:
American Conference All-Star Team Starting Lineup
FORWARDS:
Ilya Kovalchuk – Sidney Crosby – Marian Gaborik
Loui Eriksson – Evgeni Malkin – Corey Perry
Bobby Ryan – Niklas Backstrom – Marian Hossa
DEFENSEMEN:
Nicklas Lidstrom – Chris Pronger
Sergei Gonchar – Scott Niedermayer
GOALTENDERS:
Martin Brodeur
Henrik Lundqvist
UTILITY:
Jarome Iginla
RESERVES (5):
Teemu Selanne (RW), Tobias Enstrom (D), Paul Stastny (C),
Phil Kessel (RW), Patrik Elias (LW)
Canadian Conference All-Star Team Starting Lineup
FORWARDS:
Alex Ovechkin – Joe Thornton – Patrick Kane
Zach Parise – Henrik Sedin – Alexander Semin
Daniel Sedin – Pavel Datsyuk – Dustin Brown
DEFENSEMEN:
Dan Boyle – Andrei Markov
Tomas Kaberle – Zdeno Chara
GOALTENDERS:
Ryan Miller
Evgeni Nabokov
UTILITY
Dany Heatley
RESERVES (5):
Ryan Getzlaf (C), Patrick Marleau (C), Anze Kopitar (C),
Antti Miettinen (RW), Drew Doughty (D)
Joe Thornton of the Hamilton Outlaws talks with reporters about the AFHL All Star Game.
AFHL all-star fever is spreading in downtown Detroit as fans brave the cold to kick off weekend festivities leading up to the big game starting on Monday.
Hundreds of fans lined up outside tents near the Gladiators Arena Saturday to take in concerts and visit the hockey exhibition set up to mark the 2010 all-star game. Thousands more are expected on Sunday going into Monday, organizers said.
Attractive women displaying some sex appeal in support of their favorite All-Star Teams at an AFHL exhibition on Saturday.
Detroit is hosting the first ever AFHL All Star Game, and its arrival bodes well for downtown merchants still reeling from the Grand Prix cancellation, until recently one of Detroit’s largest tourist event.
Bar and store owners expect a surge in sales because of the influx of hockey fans, which will provide some needed comfort after the Grand Prix loss.
“I’m sure we’re going to do at least double or triple a regular weekend” said Oliver Sullivan, of Stogies Bar on Crescent Street.
Peoples’ shopping habits this winter reflect the tough economic times, and one special weekend probably won’t change that, predicted Stéphane Corrier, manager of the Hugo Boss clothing store on Crescent Street.
“I don’t think any activity will bring in business, or bring in what the AFHL All Star Game will bring us” he said.
News & Notes
Phil Kessel (forward) will be the only Detroit Gladiator to play in the all-star game this year.
Monday will feature a line-up of musicians and performers, including the Detroit Jubilation Gospel Choir, which will sing the national anthems.
Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam will also perform along with Cirque Frazio the contemporary circus arts company.
Two officials will call the game: referee Kerry Fraser and linesman Paul Devorski.