Seidenberg named to PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team

Published on January 8, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


(PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 8, 2004) - Philadelphia Phantoms defenseman Dennis Seidenberg was among the 21 skaters and three goaltenders named today to the PlanetUSA team roster for the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic, to be held Feb. 8-9 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. The PlanetUSA squad is comprised of players born in the United States and Europe.

Seidenberg, who is making his first AHL All-Star Classic appearance, was also voted a starter via on-line fan balloting at www.theahl.com. He will be joined in the PlanetUSA team starting lineup by Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Travis Richards, Hamilton Bulldogs forward Jozef Balej, Bridgeport Sound Tigers forward Jeff Hamilton, Manchester Monarchs forward Pavel Rosa and Chicago Wolves goaltender Kari Lehtonen.

A native of Villingen, Germany, Seidenberg has 19 points (7G, 12A) in 33 games as a Phantom and tops the team in plus/minus (+11), shots (123) and game-winning goals (4). He also leads all AHL defensemen in shots and game-winners, while ranking tied for second in goals, tied for fourth in plus/minus, tied for ninth in points and tied for 17th in assists.

"I think Dennis is very deserving of being a starter," said Phantoms head coach John Stevens. "He is one of the best young defensemen in the league and is very close to playing full time in the NHL."

A 2001 sixth-round NHL Draft pick by the Flyers, Seidenberg played professionally in Germany for three years until arriving in Philadelphia last season. He began the 2002-03 campaign with the Flyers and totaled 13 points (4G, 9A) in 58 games before joining the Phantoms and registering 11 points (5G, 6A) in 19 games.

Currently with the Flyers, the 22-year-old has appeared in three NHL games this season. Seidenberg has also played for Team Germany at the 2001 and 2002 World Championships, as well as the 2002 Winter Olympics.

The 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic gets under way on Sunday, Feb. 8, with the 2004 AHL All-Star Skills Competition at 7:00 p.m. (ET). The annual All-Star Game follows at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on Monday, Feb. 9, and will be televised live in the United States and Canada.

Seidenberg will be joined at the AHL All-Star Classic by Phantoms right wing Kirby Law, who was named to the Canadian team on Wednesday.

The Phantoms play at Springfield and Binghamton on Friday and Saturday before their next home game on Friday, Jan. 16 vs. the Hershey Bears.

Tickets to all Phantoms home games are $19, $18 and $14 for adults, and $8 for all children 14 and under, and are available now at the Wachovia Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations throughout the Delaware Valley. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling (215) 336-2000, (856) 338-9000 or (302) 984-2000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Contact the Phantoms office at 215-465-4522 or log on to www.phantomshockey.com for information on group discounts, birthday packages and the Family Four Pack.



American Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2004


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