Boychuk and St. Pierre have been named to the Canadian All Star Team:


The American Hockey League announced today the Canadian AHL All-Star team roster for the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications, to be played later this month at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.

The team comprises 24 players 13 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders born in Canada. AHL fans determined the starting lineup via on-line balloting at theahl.com, while a committee of AHL coaches selected the remainder of the roster.

Among the members of the Canadian team are 17 first-time AHL All-Stars, including the AHLs leading goal-scorer in Chris Minard of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the leagues top rookie scorer in Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Phantoms and the leagues top-scoring defenseman in Johnny Boychuk of the Providence Bruins. Players on the Canadian roster with previous All-Star experience include Providences Martin St. Pierre, selected for his fourth consecutive All-Star Classic berth, and Houstons Corey Locke, an All-Star in 2006 and 2008.

Hershey Bears defenseman Bryan Helmer was selected to captain the Canadian team, the first AHL All-Star Classic appearance of his 16-year career. Head coach Bob Woods and assistant coach Mark French of the Bears will lead the Canadian team because the Bears owned the AHLs best points percentage at the end of play on Jan. 4.

The PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team roster will be announced on Wednesday.

The 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications will feature the top young talent in the American Hockey League competing in the 2009 AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, January 25 (4:00 p.m. ET), and the 2009 AHL All-Star Game on Monday, January 26 (7:00 p.m. ET). The event will be televised nationally in the United States and Canada.

Of the 455 players to take part in the AHL All-Star Classic since 1995, more than 94 percent have competed in the National Hockey League, including Patrice Bergeron, Brad Boyes, Dan Boyle, Brian Campbell, Zdeno Chara, Rick DiPietro, Jiri Hudler, Miikka Kiprusoff, Kari Lehtonen, Ryan Miller, Zach Parise, Martin St. Louis, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal and Tomas Vokoun.

Well, I don't know if Martin St. Pierre will be back or not, but congrats to him for making the team. And congrats to Johnny Boychuk!! I heartily agree with boy choices.

I just heard that Johnny Boychuk was voted in and is a starter. Double awesome!!

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2009 Canadian AHL All-Star Team
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Forwards Defensemen Goaltenders
Steve Downie, Norfolk x-Johnny Boychuk, Providence Mike Brodeur, Rochester
x-Alexandre Giroux, Hershey Kyle Cumiskey, Lake Erie Barry Brust, Houston
x-Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Cody Franson, Milwaukee x-Brian Elliott, Binghamton

Mike Iggulden, Bridgeport Bryan Helmer, Hershey ("C")
Jason Krog, Manitoba x-Derek Joslin, Worcester
Corey Locke, Houston Andrew MacDonald, Bridgeport
Brett MacLean, San Antonio Brett Palin, Quad City
Mark Mancari, Portland Danny Syvret, Philadelphia
x-Chris Minard, W-B/Scranton
Cal O'Reilly, Milwaukee
Teddy Purcell, Manchester
Martin St. Pierre, Providence
Mike Santorelli, Milwaukee

x-starters

Head Coach: Bob Woods, Hershey
Assistant Coach: Mark French, Hershey