Tag: All-star

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IceCaps McCarron, Ellis Stand Out in AHL All-Star Game [VIDEO]

Morgan Ellis, Michael McCarron (Photo by Amy Johnson | Rocket Sports Media)

By Amy Johnson, Ice Caps Hockey Report

Morgan Ellis, Michael McCarron (Photo by Amy Johnson | Rocket Sports Media)
Morgan Ellis, Michael McCarron (Photo by Amy Johnson | Rocket Sports Media)

SYRACUSE, NY — Fifty-two AHL stars gathered once again at center ice in Syracuse on Monday night. Each were selected based on their outstanding play thus far in the 2015-16 season. The best of the American League.  Many contend these players are a force to be reckoned with, and the jumbers tend to agree.

  • 82 AHL players league-wide have made their NHL debut this season (including Michael McCarron of the St. John’s IceCaps).
  • 23 of this year’s AHL All-Stars have played in the NHL this season.
  • This years All-Stars have tallied 1,968 career NHL games.
  • Of the 679 players (since 1995) who have played in the AHL All-Star Classic, 94.7% of them have gone on to play in the NHL.

It’s safe to say the AHL continues to produce a lot of promising talent for the NHL. And for the St. John’s IceCaps McCarron and Morgan Ellis certainly represented them well. We spoke with each of them before the game, watch the video below.

The game was broken down into three periods, each containing two nine-minute round robin games pitting divisions against each other. Each game was played 4-on-4 for the first half and 3-on-3 for the second half.

It took a couple of games for guys to get a feel for the format, but then they started to get serious. Ellis assisted on the North’s first goal by Josh Leivo and had plenty of scoring chances of his own. Ellis was quite noticeable every time he took the ice and skated very well. McCarron assisted on a different Leivo goal, then potted one of his own off a sweet centering pass from Matt Taormina.

In the end, Central beat out Atlantic for the championship win. McCarron and Ellis now head back to St. John’s for a short break before gearing up to face Utica on Friday. Be sure to check out their post-game interviews below.

Post-game interview with Morgan Ellis

Post-game interview with Michael McCarron

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Feature

IceCaps McCarron, Ellis Shine in AHL All-Star Skills [VIDEO]

By Amy Johnson, Ice Caps Hockey Report

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Morgan Ellis, Michael McCarron (Photo by Amy Johnson | Rocket Sports Media)

SYRACUSE, NY — The best of the best gathered at Syracuse’s War Memorial Arena on Sunday night to kick off the 2016 AHL All-Star Classic with the Skills Competition. Fifty-two of the league’s top forwards, defencemen, and goaltenders gatheredto show off their talents in a night of playful competition.

Michael McCarron and Morgan Ellis were chosen as the two North Division representatives from the St. John’s IceCaps. We spoke with them before the event began to get a sense of their excitement level for the weekend. You can watch the video of those interviews below.

We also chatted with former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Peter Budaj before the competition began. Budaj now plays for the Ontario Reign and is having a terrific season. You can listen to the audio from his interview, as well as audio from post-event interviews with McCarron and Ellis below as well.

Pre-event interview with Peter Budaj

Post-event interview with Morgan Ellis

Post-event interview with Michael McCarron

After watching the Puck Control Relay and Fastest Skater events from the sidelines, the Rapid Fire contest brought McCarron to the ice. He impressed the crowd by potting four of his five quick-shot attempts.

Next it was Ellis’ turn in the Hardest Shot event. He fired a laser at 100.0 mph to take the third hardest shot position overall, and one of only two players to get into triple digits.

Pass and Score teamed three skaters against a goalie. McCarron, Mike Sislo, and William Nylander peppered Budaj, but couldn’t get a puck past him.

Finally, both IceCaps players took part in the Breakaway Relay. McCarron faced Budaj once again and Ellis took on Laurent Brossoit. At the end of the night the Western Conference came out on top, but every participant seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Fans lined the boards afterwards for photos and autographs with their favorite players, who now look forward to the AHL All-Star Game Monday night.

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Press release

AHL Names Morgan Ellis to All-Star Team

IceCaps defenceman Ellis named to AHL All-Star Team
BLUELINER TO REPLACE FELLOW ICECAP BARBERIO CURRENTLY WITH CANADIENS

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St. John’s IceCaps Media Release

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (January 26, 2015) –The American Hockey League announced today several roster changes for the upcoming 2016 Toyota AHL All-Star Classic, including the addition of St. John’s IceCaps defenceman Morgan Ellis.

Ellis, second among AHL rearguards with 10 goals, will replace fellow IceCaps blueliner Mark Barberio who is currently on recall to the Montreal Canadiens. A native of Ellerslie, PEI, Ellis also leads the IceCaps with a plus-minus of +12.

The All-Star game is slated for this Sunday and Monday in Syracuse, N.Y.

Other additions to the AHL All-Star rosters are: Portland Pirates defenseman Cameron Gaunce and Providence Bruins forward Alexander Khokhlachev (Atlantic Division); Manitoba Moose goaltender Eric Comrie, Rockford IceHogs forward Jake Dowell and Lake Erie Monsters forward T.J. Tynan (Central Division); and Ontario Reign forward Sean Backman and San Jose Barracuda forward Ryan Carpenter (Pacific Division).

In addition, the AHL announced that Bridgeport forward Joe Whitney, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defenseman Derrick Pouliot, Manitoba goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Lake Erie forward Kerby Rychel, Milwaukee forward Vladislav Kamenev, Ontario forward Michael Mersch and Texas forward Travis Morin will all be unavailable for the event.

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Press release

Bulldogs Forward Charles Hudon Selected as an AHL All-Star

Charles Hudon (photo by HamiltonBulldogs.com)

CHARLES HUDON SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN 2015 AHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC
‘Dogs forward leads AHL in rookie scoring with 33 points in 35 games

Charles Hudon (photo by HamiltonBulldogs.com)
Charles Hudon (photo by HamiltonBulldogs.com)

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The American Hockey League announced today the rosters for the 2015 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Turning Stone Resort Casino, with Hamilton Bulldogs forward Charles Hudon selected to play for the Western Conference at the event to be held Jan. 25-26 in Utica, N.Y.

In 35 games with Hamilton this season, Hudon – in his first full campaign as a pro – has recorded 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) and 40 penalty minutes. The 20-year-old is currently tied for fourth in AHL scoring and leads all rookies in assists and points. The Alma, Que. native was named CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for November after recording five goals – including three game-winners – and nine assists for 14 points in 12 games that month.

In 44 career AHL regular season games with the Bulldogs, the 5-10, 184-pound forward has recorded 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) and 44 penalty minutes. Before turning pro, Hudon played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar (2014) and Chicoutimi Sagueneens (2010 to 2013). In 235 career QMJHL regular season games, he recorded 273 points (104 goals, 169 assists) and 241 penalty minutes.

Hudon was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the fifth round (122nd overall) in the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

For full Eastern and Western Conference rosters for the 2015 AHL All-Star Classic, visit www.theahl.com.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Friday, Jan. 9 when they’ll host the Utica Comets at FirstOntario Centre at 7:30 p.m.