Alexandre Picard Named AHL All-Star

Published on January 9, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phantoms, in conjunction with the American Hockey League, announced Wednesday that defenseman Alexandre Picard has been selected to the Canadian squad for the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Reebok, which will take place this month at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton, N.Y. The event includes the 2008 CCM AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, January 27, and the 2008 AHL All-Star Game on Monday, January 28.

A 22-year-old native of Gatineau, Quebec, Picard receives his first All-Star appointment in his third full season in the Flyers organization. Through 32 games this year, he has five goals and 20 assists for 25 points and has been whistled for just 10 PIM. He heads into tonight's game in Lowell in second place on the team in scoring.

Last Sunday night, Picard tied a franchise record by posting three assists in a single period when he helped set up all three of Philadelphia's first-period goals in a 6-2 win over Bridgeport. It was his second three-assist game of the season. He has also been recalled to the Flyers twice, where he has played a total of four games with an average ice time of 13:15 per night.

A third-round selection (85th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Picard had a whirlwind introduction to the organization in 2005. He helped the Halifax Mooseheads to the QMJHL's President's Cup Finals in May of that year. After Halifax was defeated by Gatineau, Picard met the Phantoms in Chicago the morning of Game 2 of the 2005 Calder Cup Finals. He played that night and also in Game 3, and helped the team hoist the Calder Cup.

In his rookie season of 2005-06, Picard appeared in 75 games for the Phantoms, posting seven goals and 26 assists for 33 points. He was selected as the Phantoms Most Coachable Player that year. He also appeared in six games for the Flyers, making his NHL debut on Jan. 23, 2006 in a 4-2 win over Pittsburgh.

Picard began the 2006-07 season with the Phantoms, posting a goal and two assists in six games. But he was called up to the Flyers on November 10 and never returned, appearing in 62 games for the club over the rest of the season. He finished with three goals and 19 assists for 22 points, notching his first NHL goal and point on Nov. 11

vs. Buffalo.

On Feb. 1, 2007, Picard recorded five assists in a 6-5 overtime loss to New Jersey at the Wachovia Center, becoming just the second rookie defenseman in NHL history to do so. The performance also set Flyers team records for most assists by a defenseman and by a rookie in a single game, and joined Picard with Bobby Clarke and Eric Lindros as the only players in franchise history to post five assists in a game. Picard also played 32:42 in that game, a team season high, and was named the game's first star.

The 2008 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Reebok will match the league's Canadian-born All-Stars against the PlanetUSA All-Star squad, which is comprised of players who were born in the USA and all other countries. The PlanetUSA squad will be announced tomorrow.

The Phantoms are in action tonight in Lowell, Mass. against the Lowell Devils. The next home game is Friday night at 7:05 when the Lake Erie Monsters make their first-ever visit to the Wachovia Spectrum. Tickets are available at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at ComcastTIX.com or phantomshockey.com, or by phone at 1-800-298-4200.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2008


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