Bucks Brent Cullaton Selected As Starter For 2005 Dodge CHL All-Star Game

Published on December 22, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


LAREDO, Texas – The Central Hockey League announced today that Laredo Bucks forward Brent Cullaton will be a starter for the Southern Conference for the 2005 Dodge CHL All-Star Game on January 12th at the Laredo Entertainment Center. For 2005 Dodge CHL All-Star Game tickets call (956)-718-BUCKS (2825) or log onto www.laredobucks.com and buy tickets online.

Cullaton has nine goals and 21 assists and leads the All-Star host Bucks with 30 points. His point total is tied for second highest in the Southern Conference and is tied for 12th in the CHL scoring race.

"Brent is a real competitive guy. I am very happy that he has been selected to start the All-Star Game," Bucks head coach Terry Ruskowski said. "He will represent Laredo very well. They can put him on the right side, left side, or at center. He adapts very well to all situations."

Cullaton was also selected as a starter last year for the 2004 Dodge CHL All-Star Game in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He registered an assist for the Southern Conference. In the Comcast Skills Competition he captured the fastest skater contest.

"It is always a thrill to be selected to an All-Star Game, especially here at home in Laredo representing the Bucks," Cullaton said. "This is really a reflection of the success that our team is having and the work they have put forward so far."

This is Cullaton's third career All-Star starting selection. He also started the 2001 ECHL All-Star Game.

The starting line-ups were selected through balloting which concluded yesterday among CHL coaches, public relations/broadcasting staff and selected media members in each CHL market. The top vote getters in each conference were Fort Worth left winger Chad Woollard, who was selected on 68 percent of all ballots and will be making his third CHL All-Star appearance, and Corpus Christi defenseman Bernie John, selected for his fifth All-Star Game and named by 70 percent of voters. Woollard leads the CHL in both points (40) and goals (22), while John has 23 points in 20 games while anchoring the Corpus Christi blue line.

Right wingers Greg Pankewicz from Colorado and Don Parsons from Memphis join Woollard as the starting forwards for the Northern Conference, both repeating as members of the starting lineup. Pankewicz has 12 goals and 17 assists in just 19 games, while Parsons, a 2-time CHL Most Valuable Player, is tied for third in CHL scoring (34 points) and trails only Woollard with 20 goals. Parsons is also the CHL's all-time All-Star points leader, with six goals and six assists in his four previous appearances.

The starting defensemen for the Northern Conference are Paul Esdale from Wichita and Derek Landmesser from Memphis. Esdale leads all CHL rearguards with 10 goals this season, while Landmesser's 24 points paces all CHL defensemen. Colorado rookie Tyler Weiman, a fifth round NHL Draft selection of the Colorado Avalanche in 2002, gets the start in goal for the Northern Conference and leads all CHL netminders with four shutouts, a 1.72 goals against average, and a .938 save percentage.

In the Southern Conference, goaltender Scott Reid from San Angelo earns the start and goes to his second consecutive CHL All-Star Game. Reid leads the CHL in both minutes played (1365:12) and wins (14), and was named the CHL's Most Outstanding Goaltender last season. Lubbock rearguard Derick Martin has enjoyed a superb rookie season (three goals, 11 assists for the first place Cotton Kings) and teams with Corpus Christi's John as the starting tandem on defense.

Starting at forward for the Southern Conference are Amarillo's Derek Hahn, Corpus Christi's Jason Baird and Laredo's Cullaton. Hahn, named the 2002/2003 CHL Rookie of the Year, leads the Gorillas in goals (12), assists (17) and points (29). Baird has 15 goals and 15 assists for Corpus Christi, and has an opportunity to repeat as All-Star Game MVP after scoring three goals and adding an assist during the 2004 contest in Albuquerque. Laredo's Cullaton also appears in his second CHL All-Star Game.

The remaining members of each conference All-Star roster will be announced on Wednesday, December 29th, as selected by All-Star Coaches Chris Stewart (Colorado, Northern Conference) and Chris Dashney (Lubbock, Southern Conference) in conjunction with the CHL's hockey operations department. Each team will have a minimum of one representative appear on the All-Star rosters.

2005 DODGE CHL ALL-STAR GAME ON TV

• The 2005 Dodge CHL All-Star Game will be rebroadcast on Fox Sports Net Southwest on Friday, January 14th, at 7 p.m. and will be featured in all of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and parts of New Mexico.

2005 DODGE CHL ALL-STAR GAME TICKETS MAKE A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT

• The best and brightest of the CHL are coming to the Gateway City. Don't miss your chance to watch the Southern Conference take on the Northern Conference at the LEC. For just $20 you'll get a ticket to the CHL Skills Competition on January 11th, plus the 2005 CHL All-Star Game on January 12th. Don't miss this chance to watch the stars shine in Laredo.

BANQUET TICKETS

• Tickets for the 2005 Dodge CHL All-Star Game Banquet are available for $75. Meet the All-Stars on January 10th at the LEC. For banquet tickets contact the Bucks office at (956)-718-BUCKS and ask for Nicole Thompson.

ALL-STAR GAME HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

• The host hotel for the 2005 Dodge CHL All-Star Game is the Holiday Inn. The phone number is (956) 727-5800 and the fax number is (956) 727-0278. The hotel is located at 800 Garden Street, Laredo, TX, 78040.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 22, 2004


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