Zepp/Johnston named to All-star team

(I can't say I was surprised by this in the least!)

From an ECHL Press Release:

The 2003 Compuware/ECHL All-Star Game will be played at 7:30 p.m. ET on January 21. The game and the skills competition on January 20 will be hosted by the Florida Everblades at TECO Arena in Estero, Florida.

the starting lineups were determined in voting by Southern Conference coaches, team captains, media relations directors, team broadcasters and newspaper writers. Coaches also submitted the top prospects from within their conference that determined the final roster with each of the 13 teams in the Southern Conference represented.

2003 Compuware/ECHL All-Star Game Southern Conference Starters

Goaltender - Rob Zepp, Florida Everblades
Defense - Kevin Mitchell, Louisiana IceGators
Defense - Jim Baxter, Mississippi Sea Wolves
Forward - Rejean Stringer, Columbia Inferno
Forward - Buddy Smith, Arkansas RiverBlades
Forward - Steffon Walby, Mississippi Sea Wolves

Under contract to Carolina of the National Hockey League, Florida's Rob Zepp is currently recalled to Lowell of the American Hockey League. The 21-year-old leads the ECHL with a 1.78 goals against average and ranks second with a .943 save percentage. Selected in the fourth round (110th overall) by Carolina in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Zepp was the ECHL Goalie of the Month for November after going 6-2-2 with a 1.48 goals against average and a .952 save percentage.

Also representing the host Everblades will be Marty Johnston, who is also currently with Lowell of the AHL. Under contract to Lowell, the 24-year-old Johnston is tied for fifth among ECHL rookies with 16 assists and is tied for ninth in scoring with 23 points.

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Media Links
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From the Naples Daily News:

ECHL: Northern All-Stars selected
http://www.naplesnews.com/02/12/sports/d871510a.htm

From the Lowell Sun:

Two key returnees for Monsters
http://www.lowellsun.com/Stories/0,1413,105%257E4767%257E1062367,00.html

From the Raleigh News & Observer:

No gain for Canes
http://sports.newsobserver.com/sports/story/2032133p-1961819c.html

These trips pose no problems
http://sports.newsobserver.com/sports/story/2032133p-1961798c.html

Game Recap & Boxscore
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores102/102352/20021218NHL--CAROLINA--0nr.htm


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Transactions
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Carolina Hurricanes - Assigned goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier and center-right wing Craig MacDonald to Lowell of the American Hockey League.

Florida Everblades (ECHL) - Activated defenseman Lee Ruff from injured reserve.