Goupil, Lackner earn All-Star status
Published on January 3, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Forward Alex Goupil and rookie defenseman Andrew Lackner will represent the Bloomington PrairieThunder in this year's United Hockey League All-Star Classic on Jan. 17 at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind., it was announced Wednesday.
Goupil and Lackner are members of the Eastern Conference team, which will be coached by Fort Wayne's Pat Bingham. The players were nominated by their respective coaches and selected by a vote of league coaches, general managers and media members.
Each conference's rosters are comprised of 20 players (18 skaters and two goaltenders) with each UHL team represented by a minimum of two players. The starting lineups will be selected by the fans. Information regarding voting can be found on the UHL web site at www.theuhl.com Fans will be able to vote from Thursday through Tuesday.
Goupil leads the PrairieThunder in goals scored with 10 on 63 shots. He also has five assists for 15 points in 22 games. Twice, this season he has been within one goal of a hat-trick.
Lackner has played in 27 games and has scored two goals with one assist for three points. He has been among the team's more solid defenders all season, according to PrairieThunder coach Derek Booth.
"We're obviously happy for Alex and Andrew," said Booth. "Both have had solid seasons for us to this point and are deserving of their selections."
For a complete list of the Eastern and Western Conference All-Star teams go to www.theuhl.com
In other PrairieThunder news, defenseman Mike Clarke has left the team to play in Europe, while Sam Miller has joined the team from the Youngstown Steelhounds of the Central Hockey League.
The 6-foot, 205-pound Miller has played the last two seasons in Youngstown after starting his career with Memphis in the CHL in 2001. He also played at St. Pete/Winston-Salem in the ACHL; Port Huron in the UHL; New Mexico and Corpus Christi in the CHL.
"Sam is a hard worker, who brings grit to the team," said Booth of the 26-year-old Miller, who had 162 minutes in penalties last year.
Booth expects Miller and newcomers Mike Zbriger (right wing) and Dion Hyman (defenseman), who were obtained in a trade with Flint on Tuesday, to see action in tonight's Western Conference battle with Rockford at 7:05 at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
The PrairieThunder will be out to snap a nine-game losing streak in the Thirty Thursday promotion game where all beverages are on sale for $2.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 3, 2007
- St. Pierre shuts out Jackals 1-0 - Elmira Jackals
- UHL teams look forward to new year - IHL 2
- Hogs fans can get a sneak peak of CoCo Key Water Resort - Rockford IceHogs
- Goupil, Lackner earn All-Star status - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- K-Wings Send Six to the All-Star Game - Kalamazoo Wings
- Seven Komets named All-Stars - Fort Wayne Komets
- Pat Sutton and Colt King Named to UHL All-Star Team - Port Huron Flags
- Six IceHogs named to UHL All-Star Game - Rockford IceHogs
- Miller and Zehr Named to UHL All-Star Team - Flint Generals
- Rosters announced for 2007 UHL All-Star Classic - IHL 2
- UHL names players of the week - IHL 2
- Stauffacher Earns UHL Player of the Week Honors - Quad City Mallards
- UHL Names Four Mallards to All-Star Squad - Quad City Mallards
- Generals Make Trade - Flint Generals
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