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Curtin, Jaeger, & VanBallegooie Named ECHL All-Stars

December 31, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - The ECHL announced today that Fresno Falcons players Luke Curtin, Brett Jaeger, and Dustin VanBallegooie have been selected to represent the National Conference at the 2006 ECHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition presented by Bud Light, which will be hosted by the Falcons on Jan. 24 and 25 at Save Mart Center.

Curtin, who leads the Falcons in scoring with 35 points (13g-22a), will be a starter in the ECHL All-Star Game for the third time and will make his fourth ECHL All-Star appearance overall. The former 5th round pick of the Colorado Avalanche is currently tied for seventh in scoring around the league and leads the ECHL with 20 power play points (5g-15a). Curtin represented the Baton Rouge Kingfish at the All-Star game during his rookie campaign in 1998-99 and made a return trip to the league event after earning his first starting assignment in 1999-00 while still with the Kingfish. Last season, when he was a member of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, he was selected as a starter and named team captain for the National squad.

Jaeger earns his first All-Star bid as one of three goaltenders for the National Conference. The second-year pro, who as a rookie last season initially won a spot on the Fresno roster off a training camp tryout and then went on to establish all-time Falcons records for goals against average and save percentage, is 11-3-5 with a 2.64 goals against average and .913 save percentage. He was named ECHL Goaltender of the Week for his play during the first week of November and finished runner-up for Goaltender of the Month during November. Jaeger is currently ranked fifth in the league in wins (11) and minutes (1,227) and ninth in goals against average (2.64).

VanBallegooie garners his first All-Star accolade in his second professional campaign, as well. He currently has 11 points (3g-8a) as Fresno's second leading scorer among defensemen and has the highest +/- total (+3) among Falcons blue liners. The Ontario native is a product of the Ontario Hockey League and was named the Toronto St. Michael's Majors' nominee for OHL Defenseman of the Year during his final junior season in 2003-04.

The Falcons continue a six-game road trip tonight and tomorrow in Phoenix when they face the Phoenix RoadRunners at America West Arena. Catch all the live play-by-play action of tonight's contest on 1550 Sporting News Radio beginning at 6 p.m. Pacific time with the FutureTek Pre-game Show. Fans may also watch the game on-line courtesy of B2 Networks, which can be accessed via the Falcons' home page at www.fresnofalcons.com. The pay-per-view video webcast costs $6 and requires a high-speed internet connection.

Fresno will not return home to Save Mart Center until they take on the Florida Everblades on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. The game is a Carl's Jr. Two-for-Tuesday, with two-for-one coupons available at participating Carl's Jr. restaurants. Individual tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office with prices ranging from $8 - $22. For complete ticket information and an arena map of Save Mart Center, visit www.fresnofalcons.com/singletickets.html, or contact the Falcons front office directly at (559) 485-PUCK (7825).



ECHL Stories from December 31, 2005


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