ECHL Florida Everblades

American Conference All Stars Announced

Published on December 31, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - The Florida Everblades, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers, will feature three players in the 2010 ECHL All Star game presented by Reebok Hockey and brought to you by Toyota and the City of Ontario, California on January 20. Rookie forward Brandon Buck, defenseman AJ Thelen and forward Jacob Micflikier have been named to the American Conference squad.

Buck, 21, will be appearing in his first ECHL All Star game in his rookie season. The Delaware, Ontario native is under contract with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League. Buck has received one promotion to Houston this season after beginning the year in the Aeros training camp. In five games played he posted no points and two penalty minutes. With the Everblades, Buck has tallied eight goals and 17 points in 24 contests.

Coach Malcolm Cameron says this game features outstanding performers this season and up-and-coming players like Buck, "Brandon is a pretty raw talent. His offensive attributes speak for themselves but he is now developing his defensive game and that is making him a complete player."

Thelen, 23, will also be appearing in his first ECHL All Star game. The Savage, Minnesota native is currently on an ECHL contract with the Florida Everblades. He earned his first promotion to the American Hockey League on December 18. In seven games with the Rochester Americans, Thelen has been held scoreless with two penalty minutes. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound defenseman ranks T-20th in scoring amongst ECHL defensemen with 15 points (7g, 8a) in just 26 games this season with the 'Blades. He ranks T-5th amongst ECHL defenseman in goals and his four power-play goals ranks T-3rd.

"AJ Thelen has been our most consistent defenseman this season," said Cameron. "After an injury filled season last year AJ has really rebounded and played like he did in Texas two seasons ago."

Micflikier, 25, will also be appearing in his first ECHL All Star game. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has been named a starter in the contest for the American Conference. Micflikier is on his second recall to Albany after starting the season in the River Rats training camp. So far, he has appeared in 14 games with the Rats this season and tallied five goals and nine points. The third-year professional has scored nine goals and 23 assists for 32 points in just 16 games with the 'Blades. He was named the Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week (11/2 - 11/9) and Reebok Hockey ECHL Player of the Month (7g, 22a - +8 rating) in November. Currently, he leads the Everblades in scoring with 32 points, assists (23), power-play assists (12), power-play points (15) and game-winning goals (2). In a total of 26 regular season games with Florida over the past two seasons, Micflikier has 19 goals and 37 assists for 56 points.

Coach Malcolm Cameron says Micflikier is one of the best in the ECHL, "Jacob is a fast, extremely skilled player. He sees the ice very well and makes good decisions. The best thing I like about Jacob Micflikier is how he battles for the puck."

The Everblades play their final game of 2009 against defending Kelly Cup Champion, South Carolina tonight at North Charleston Coliseum. This is the fourth game of 11-straight on the road for Florida. Faceoff is at 7:05 p.m. tonight.

Follow the Everblades on the new flagship station, Fox Sports Radio 1200/1460AM and via the Everblades website at www.floridaeverblades.com by clicking on the Fox Sports Radio or Sportsjuice logos. The Shoeless Joe's Sports Café pregame show comes your way 25-minutes prior to the drop of the puck. Everblades hockey on Fox Sports Radio is brought to you by Blu Sushi.

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ECHL Stories from December 31, 2009


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