Blaz to 2004 Dodge All-Star Game
January 5, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release
LUBBOCK â Lubbock Cotton Kings Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kirk Tomlinson announced today that Joe Blaznek has been selected as the all-star representative for the Kings
Blaznek was selected over the past week by the hockey department of the Central Hockey League and Laredo Bucks' Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. Ruskowski even saw Blaznek when he was scouting in the East Coast Hockey League.
"He made some terrific moves while he was down here a few weeks ago," said Ruskowski referring to Blaznek's goal 25 seconds into the contest on Dec. 27. "I needed a center iceman, and he was an obvious choice."
Blaznek will join representatives from the eight Southern Conference teams in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jan. 22. He is the only representative from the Cotton Kings â Craig Binns, Dave MacIntyre, Derek Holland, Paul Fioroni and Jeremy Symington were on the ballot.
Blaznek has been a part of two all-star games while a member of the Richmond Renegades (1998-99, 2000-01) of the ECHL.
"It means a lot when the other coaches in the league feel that you can bring something to the table," said Blaznek.
The only remaining all-star on the Lubbock Cotton Kings roster is Derek Holland. Holland was an all-star defenseman in the last year of the Western Professional Hockey League with Brandon Carper, Kyle Reeves and Cosmo Dupaul. He was a CHL all-star last year with Blaz Emersic and the year before with Cosmo Dupaul. The Kings Kyle Reeves won the WPHL All-Star Game MVP award in 2000-01.
Currently, Blaznek leads or shares the club lead in points(29), game-winning goals(2) and shots(130). He is the only alternate captain for the Kings this season â an honor announced on December 3, 2004.
"The âA' is given to an unselfish leader that works hard," said Tomlinson. "He has improved every day and his work ethic has separated himself. I see this as giving him the torch for the rest of the season â both he and (Dave) MacIntyre need to lead this team every night."
The Kings will have a busy week before and after the all-star break. With games on Jan. 19 in Corpus Christi, Jan. 20 in Laredo, Jan. 23 in San Angelo and Jan. 24 against New Mexico, Blaznek will play five games in six nights.
Tickets are limited but still available for the sellout game January 10 against the Wichita Thunder. The first 1000 fans will receive thunder sticks courtesy of Advanced Graphix. Tickets can be picked up at Select-a-Seat locations or by calling 806.747.PUCK (7825).
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