Thursday, January 9, 2014

Six Named to AHL All-Star Team

Former collegians will face Farjestad BK in 2014 AHL All-Star Classic.

Six Named to AHL All-Star Team
Chad Billins, part of Ferris State’s 2012 Frozen Four team, ranks fourth among AHL defensemen in scoring this season.

Six former college hockey stars are among the 20 players named to the 2014 AHL All-Star Team that will face off against Farjestad BK of Sweden in the 2014 AHL All-Star Classic.

The alums on the roster are:

Chad Billins, Ferris State
Brian Gibbons, Boston College
Cody Goloubef, Wisconsin
Travis Morin, Minnesota State
Brandon Pirri, Rensselaer
Ben Street, Wisconsin

Five of the six have appeared in the NHL at some point this season, with Goloubef the lone exception.

Former Ferris State player and Western Michigan head coach Jeff Blashill – now the head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins – will lead the AHL All-Stars.

The two-day event in St. John’s, Newfoundland, will feature a Skills Competition on Tuesday, Feb. 11, followed by the game on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Typically featuring two teams of AHL All-Stars, the event takes on a new format this year with Farjestad’s participation. The Farjestad team features former Hobey Baker winner Jack Connolly of Minnesota Duluth.

The 2014 AHL All-Star Classic will mark the first time ever that a Swedish Hockey League team has competed in North America. Founded in 1932 and based in the city of Karlstad, Sweden, Färjestad BK is one of the most successful franchises in all of European hockey, playing in 19 league finals and winning nine Swedish league championships, including four since 2002.