Lehtonen Named Starting Goaltender in AHL All-Star Game
Published on January 8, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
Chicago Wolves rookie goaltender Kari Lehtonen (KAH-ree LEH-tuh-nehn) has been named the starting netminder for the PlanetUSA All-Star Team in the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic, which will take place at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Mon., Feb. 9, at 6 p.m.
Lehtonen, who was the first pick of the Atlanta Thrashers and the second pick overall in the 2002 National Hockey League Entry Draft, shares the league-lead with 13 wins this season and leads Wolves goaltenders with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. The 20-year-old forward is currently on a five-game unbeaten streak, allowing just four goals in those games for a 0.80 goals-against average and a .974 save percentage.
The highest drafted European goaltender in NHL draft history, Lehtonen recently registered his first two professional shutouts against the Utah Grizzlies on Dec. 27 and Jan. 7. Overall, the Helsinki, Finland, native has posted a 13-8-1-1 mark in 24 games this season.
Lehtonen's start marks the third time in team history a Wolves goaltender has started an All-Star Game. Wendell Young started both the 1998 and 2001 International Hockey League All-Star Games.
Last year, Lehtonen registered a Finnish league-high 23 wins (23-14-6) and a 1.98 goals-against average in 45 games with Jokerit Helsinki.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 190-pound Lehtonen led Jokerit Helsinki to the championship as the league's youngest goaltender at age 19, earning MVP honors after posting league-highs with 11 games; eight wins; 623 minutes; and three shutouts with Finland in the 2002 playoffs. Lehtonen compiled a 13-5-3 regular-season mark that year with a career-best 1.79 goals-against average.
Lehtonen led Finland to the bronze medal at the 2003 World Junior Championships with a 3-2-1 mark, two shutouts, a 2.19 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. He also backed up former Wolves goaltender Pasi Nurminen (Atlanta's current starter) for Finland in the 2002 and 2003 World Championships.
Lehtonen is one of three goaltenders and 21 skaters comprising the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star Team, which consists of non-Canadian-born players. The annual event kicks off with the 2004 AHL All-Star Skills Competition between the PlanetUSA AHL All-Stars and the Canadian AHL All-Stars, on Sun., Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. The All-Star Game follows on Mon., Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. and will be televised live in the United States and Canada on regional networks to be named next week by the AHL.
American Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2004
- Hartford tops Aeros 1-0 in OT - Houston Aeros
- Kunitz scores twice in Ducks win over Admirals - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Right Wing Joffrey Lupul Recalled by Anaheim - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Minard and Turon Recalled from Memphis - Toronto Marlies
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Preview - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Sens Sign Mike Brown to PTO - Binghamton Senators
- Lehtonen Named Starting Goaltender in AHL All-Star Game - Chicago Wolves
- Columbus Reassigns Jackman and Komarniski To Syracuse - Syracuse Crunch
- Rampage Game Day - San Antonio Rampage
- Note about Thursday webcast - Houston Aeros
- Martensson Named to AHL All-Star Team - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Skrlac Re-called by New Jersey - Albany River Rats
- Suglobov Named to PlanetUSA AHL All-Star Team - Albany River Rats
- Falcons Sign Billy Tibbetts - Springfield Falcons
- IceCats Recall Pair - Worcester IceCats
- Balej, Plekanec & Komisarek chosen to play for PlanetUSA AHL All-Star Team - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Rosa, Clarke Named To 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic - Manchester Monarchs
- Jeff Hamilton Named An AHL All-Star - Bridgeport Islanders
- Seidenberg named to PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team - Adirondack Phantoms
- Hudler and Kronwall Selected at PlanetUSA All-Stars - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Matt Herr named to PlanetUSA All-Star Team - Providence Bruins
- B-Sens Land Two on PlanetUSA All-Star Team - Binghamton Senators
- Babchuk Named to All-Star Team - Norfolk Admirals
- Stana Named to PlanetUSA AHL All-Star Team - Portland Pirates
- Zalesak Named to Team PlanetUSA - Cleveland Barons
- Barons Goaltending Depth Shines - Cleveland Barons
- WDOK Breakaway With The Barons Monday - Cleveland Barons
- Obsut Named to AHL All-Star Classic - Manitoba Moose
- AHL announces PlanetUSA All-Star team - AHL
- Havoline NASCAR Night at the Crunch Set For January 31 - Syracuse Crunch
- Colton Orr recalled by Boston Bruins - Providence Bruins
- Aeros Game Day - Houston Aeros
- Toivonen returns to Providence - Providence Bruins
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
