Iowa Player Named to All-Star Team

Published on January 9, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Stars, in conjunction with the American Hockey League (AHL), today announced that Iowa Stars Center Joel Lundqvist has been named to the PlanetUSA roster for the 2007 Rbk AHL All-Star Classic to be held later this month in Toronto, Ontario. The PlanetUSA team is made of players born outside of Canada. AHL fans determined the starting lineups via on-line balloting at theahl.com, while a committee of AHL coaches selected the remainder of the rosters.

A native of Are, Sweden, Lundqvist is in his first professional season in North America. In 34 games with Iowa, the 24-year-old Lundqvist is currently leading the team with 33 points, including a team-high 15 goals and 18 assists: 34(15/18/33).

Selected by the Dallas Stars with their third selection in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he made his NHL debut with Dallas in early December, appearing in four games during that initial recall. Recalled again on December 13th, Lundqvist, along with his identical twin brother Henrik skated their way into National Hockey League history on December 14th, 2006. Joel, playing center for Dallas and Henrik, playing goal for the New York Rangers, became just the third set of twins in the 90-year history of the NHL to play on opposite teams in the same game. Joel had just under six minutes of ice time and no shots, while Henrik had a 43-save performance in New York's 5-2 win. Joel Lundqvist, 24-years-old, has appeared in six total NHL games with the Dallas Stars this season, but was held scoreless in those six games.

Lundqvist played in 253 career games for Vastra Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League, posting 55 goals and 82 assists for 137 points with 541 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 49 playoff games for the Goteborg club, notching 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points with 85 PIM.

The 2007 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic will take place at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, home of the AHL's Marlies. The event features the 2007 CCM AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, January 28th (6:00 CST) and the 2007 AHL All-Star Game on Monday, January 29th (6:00 CST), and will be televised live on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada and on a network of regional broadcast partners in the United States.

The head coach of the Canadian All-Star team will be Bruce Boudreau, by virtue of his leading the Hershey Bears to the 2006 Calder Cup championship. Boudreau, a Toronto native and former AHL MVP who also played for the junior Marlies and the NHL Maple Leafs, will be making his second appearance behind an AHL All-Star bench. The head coach of the PlanetUSA team will come from the AHL club with the best points percentage after play on Jan. 14.

Of the 394 players to take part in the AHL All-Star Classic since 1995, more than 93 percent have competed in the National Hockey League, including Patrice Bergeron, Brad Boyes, Daniel Briere, Jonathan Cheechoo, Pavol Demitra, Rick DiPietro, Patrik Elias, Ray Emery, Miikka Kiprusoff, Kari Lehtonen, Ryan Miller, Dwayne Roloson, Marc Savard, Martin St. Louis, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, Steve Sullivan and Kyle Wellwood.

IOWA STARS INFO: The Stars return to Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, January 12th for a 7:00 PM face-off with the Houston Aeros. Friday's game is KCWI Date Night and will have a 7:00 PM face-off. One lucky couple will win round trip airfare to Las Vegas courtesy of Allegiant Air and couples can purchase two tickets, two hot dogs and two cokes for just $23! The following evening, the Toronto Marlies make their only trip to Des Moines. The first 1,500 fans through the turnstiles will receive a FREE Iowa Stars stocking cap! Doors open for all home games one hour before face-off. Bring a group or hold your child's birthday at a Stars game! All ticketing information can be obtained by calling 515-23-STARS or by visiting IowaStarsHockey.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2007


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