AHL All-Star Teams and All-Rookie Team named

As the AHL season draws to a close and teams continue to battle it out for the right to compete for the Calder Cup, the league took some time off from the fierce team competition to honor some individual efforts, naming the first and second teams of AHL All-Stars, as well as the All-Rookie Team.

 

The teams were selected by the players and media in each of the 28 AHL cities, with 12 clubs having at least one player voted onto the squads. Players that were named to the post-season teams will be given a special gift in honor of their achievement.

 

First All-Star Team

 

Jason LaBarbera, G, Hartford Wolf Pack – Simply put, LaBarbera was stellar between the pipes this year for the Hartford Wolf Pack, going 30-8-9 through 54 games, while writing his name in the record books by attaining 12 shutouts. LaBarbera’s season also included three games in the NHL with the Rangers.

 

Bryan Muir, D, Manchester Monarchs – To say that Muir stood out this season is an understatement. The Manchester blueliner contributed solidly on both ends of the rink, recording 48 points and a +22 rating. Muir also showed his physicality when needed, racking up 134 penalty minutes in his 67 games thus far.

 

Curtis Murphy, D, Milwaukee Admirals – The leading scorer among defenseman this season, Murphy earned his second consecutive First Team berth for strong play that has included a league-high +38 rating. The Milwaukee rearguard appeared in his third-straight AHL All-Star game this season, while not missing a game for the third year in a row.

 

Denis Hamel, LW, Binghamton Senators - Considered by many to be one of the Ottawa Senators’ brightest prospects, Hamel continued to show promise this season by racking up 63 points in his first year in Binghamton. Invaluable on the penalty-kill, Hamel shares the league lead with four short-handed goals.

 

Eric Perrin, C, Hershey Bears – Hershey’s faceoff man took his game to a new level this year, counting 75 points in 71 games thus far. He currently sits atop the assist list, with 54 helpers. Along the way, he was named to the starting line-up for the Canadian Team at the AHL All-Star game, and made his big-league debut with Tampa Bay on Saturday.

 

Jeff Hamilton, RW, Bridgeport Sound Tigers – The leading goal-scorer in the AHL this season, Hamilton established a new record for game-winning goals with 15, beating the 50 year-old mark set by Dunc Fisher. Hamilton‘s achievement is even more noteworthy when you consider that he missed 13 games with an eye injury.

 

Second All-Star Team

 

Wade Dubielewicz, G, Bridgeport Sound Tigers – Bridgeport‘s second post-season All-Star earned his way onto the team by sheer force. The rookie goaltender had a stellar season that has seen him earn a 1.42 GAA, which, if it stands, will break the AHL record. Dubielewicz, who was also named to the All-Rookie Team, made his NHL debut with the New York Islanders on March 25.

 

John Slaney, D, Philadelphia Phantoms – The Phantoms’ top defenseman proved he’s still one of the top blueliners in the league by earning his third post-season berth in four years. The two-time Eddie Shore Award winner has put up 42 points in just 53 games this season while becoming the all-time scoring leader for the league.

 

Garrett Stafford, D, Cleveland Barons – The Cleveland Baron standout received double honors, also earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team. Stafford put up big numbers this year in the A, notching 46 points in 68 games. The lone representative for the Barons at the AHL All-Star Game, Stafford was named the AHL’s Rookie of the Month in January.

 

Steve Maltais, LW, Chicago Wolves – Chicago‘s steady left-man earned his sixth post-season All-Star award, picking up 58 points thus far. Maltais captained the Wolves to the 2002 Calder Cup, and looks to do so again this season. One of the senior members of the All-Star squad, Maltais has played 1,160 pro hockey games, amassing 1,226 points.

 

Brad Boyes, C, Providence Bruins – Boyes followed up a 2003 All-Rookie-Team honor by scoring 67 points in 71 games. The Providence front-liner became the first player since the 1995-96 season to begin his AHL career with back-to-back 30-goal campaigns. He was acquired by the Boston Bruins at the NHL trade deadline, after beginning his season in the San Jose Sharks organization.

 

Pavel Rosa, RW, Manchester Monarchs – Rosa has been spectacular for Manchester this year. With 11 days to go in the season, Rosa leads all scorers with 79 points and leads all forwards with a +36 rating. Rosa has earned 142 points in 131 AHL games, and also picked up his first goal in five years in NHL play on February 15.

 

 

AHL First Team All-Stars

G: Jason LaBarbera, Hartford Wolf Pack

D: Bryan Muir, Manchester Monarchs

D: Curtis Murphy, Milwaukee Admirals

L: Denis Hamel, Binghamton Senators

C: Eric Perrin, Hershey Bears

R: Jeff Hamilton, Bridgeport Sound Tigers

 

AHL Second Team All-Stars

G: Wade Dubielewicz, Bridgeport Sound Tigers

D: John Slaney, Philadelphia Phantoms

D: Garrett Stafford, Cleveland Barons

L: Steve Maltais, Chicago Wolves

C: Brad Boyes, Providence Bruins

R: Pavel Rosa, Manchester Monarchs

 

AHL All-Rookie Team

G: Wade Dubielewicz, Bridgeport Sound Tigers

D: Garrett Stafford, Cleveland Barons

D: Doug Lynch, Toronto Roadrunners

F: Noah Clarke, Manchester Monarchs

F: Michel Ouellet, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

F: Timofei Shishkanov, Milwaukee Admirals