All-Star Cast Features Lehtonen
January 27, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
Chicago Wolves goaltender Kari Lehtonen has been named the starting goaltender for the American Hockey League's PlanetUSA All-Star Team in the 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, which will take place at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H., on Mon., Feb. 14, at 6 p.m.
This is the second consecutive season Lehtonen has been named the starting goaltender for the PlanetUSA team. Last year, he was unable to participate due to injury.
The Atlanta Thrashers' first pick  and second overall  in the 2002 National Hockey League Entry Draft has registered a 21-13-1 record with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 35 games. Lehtonen is tied for third in the AHL with 21 wins and fourth with four shutouts, while ranking third with 2,095:12 minutes played and fourth 1,044 saves.
The 21-year-old netminder has been recognized this season as the league's first-half MVP and the No. 1 AHL prospect by The Hockey News. He was also named the AHL's goaltender of the month for December after recording a 9-1-0 mark, a 1.70 goals-against average, a .948 save percentage and two shutouts.
Last year, Lehtonen accrued a 20-14-2 record, a 2.41 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in 39 games with the Wolves during his rookie season. He also recorded a perfect 4-0-0 mark in as many games with Atlanta last season, including his first NHL shutout on March 27 against the Florida Panthers.
The Helsinki, Finland, native was named the top NHL prospect in the world by The Hockey News in 2003 and 2004 and was also honored by the publication as the 2004 minor pro prospect of the year. Lehtonen served as the backup goaltender for runner-up Finland in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
Lehtonen is one of three goaltenders and 22 skaters comprising the PlanetUSA All-Star Team. The annual event kicks off with the 2005 AHL All-Star Skills Competition between the PlanetUSA and Canadian All-Stars on Sun., Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. The annual All-Star Game will be televised live nationally on ESPN2 in the United States and on Rogers Sportnet in Canada.
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