Stana Named to PlanetUSA AHL All-Star Team

January 8, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME – For the second time in as many years, the Portland Pirates are sending a goaltender to the American Hockey League's All-Star Classic. The AHL announced today that former Pirates' and current Washington Capitals' goaltender Rastislav Stana has been named to the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star Team. PlanetUSA is made up of the AHL's best American-born players and players from all other countries other than Canada. If returned to Portland in time, Stana will compete in the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 8-9, 2004.

In 15 games with the Pirates this season, Stana has posted a record of 8-3-3, a goals-against average of 1.42 and a save percentage of 0.952. Among all AHL goaltenders, he ranks first in save percentage and second in goals-against average. His five shutouts also lead the league. The native of Kosice, Slovakia earned four shutouts in his last six games before earning his second recall of the season to the Capitals. He was named Sher-Wood/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 28th.

In five games with the Capitals this season, Stana is 1-1-0 with a 2.78 goals-against mark and a 0.910 save percentage. He became the first Slovakian-born goaltender to win a National Hockey League game when he made 38 saves in a 4-1 win at Detroit on November 24th. He was recalled to Washington for the second time on January 6th.

Stana follows in the footsteps of Maxime Ouellet who started for the Canadian AHL All-Stars last year when the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic was played in Portland. He becomes the fifth Pirates' goalie and the 24th Pirate overall to be named to an All-Star team since the game was re-instated during the 1994-1995 season. In addition to Ouellet, other Pirates' goalies to appear include Jim Carey ('95), Martin Brochu ('97, '00) and Robb Stauber ('97). Brochu also started in 2000 and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

The Pirates are back in action tomorrow night when they host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:05 p.m. The first 1,200 fans through the gate will receive a Maxime Ouellet bobblehead doll courtesy of Pepsi/Seltzer & Rydholm. On January 10th, the Pirates welcome the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for a 7:05 p.m. face-off. During the first intermission, the Pirates will induct current Penguin Martin Brochu into the Pirates Hall of Fame presented by Fleet.

Tickets for all home games are on sale at the Center box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may be ordered by phone at (207) 775-3458, (207) 775-3331 or on-line at Ticketmaster.com.



American Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2004


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