Sundogs' Irving to Start in CHL All-Star Game
Published on December 30, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs, in conjunction with the Central Hockey League, announced today that forward and leading scoring Joel Irving has been named a starter for the CHL All-Star Team in the 2009 All-Star Game to be played at the Budweiser Events Center, home of the Colorado Eagles, on Jan. 14 in Loveland, Colo. Irving appeared on 26 of the 50 ballots cast representing the top vote-getting forward.
Different from All-Star Games of past, this season's showcase game will pit the host Colorado Eagles against a team composed of CHL All-Stars from across the league. The format change is reflective of the early days of professional hockey, when the Stanley Cup champions would take on the All-Star team.
Joining Irving as starters for the CHL Team are forwards Darryl Smith of Laredo and Rich Hansen of Rapid City, defensemen Justin Kinnunen of Texas and Sam Ftorek of Amarillo and goaltender Andy Franck of Oklahoma City. The starting lineup for the CHL All-Star Team was voted on by head coaches, team communications staffs and selected media members in each market.
Irving currently leads the Sundogs in scoring and ranks fourth overall in the league with 41 points (21g/20a) in 31 games. His 21 goals are good enough for a three-way tie for second-most in the league.
Oklahoma City's Doug Sauter and Odessa's Paul Gillis were named co-coaches of the CHL All-Stars after securing the Northern and Southern Conferences' best winning percentages through Dec. 23.
All-Star Game formats similar to the Eagles vs. CHL match-up date back to as early as 1934 - the first ever All-Star Game involving players from the National Hockey League (NHL). From 1947-1967, with only two exceptions, the NHL All-Star Game pitted the defending Stanley Cup champions against a selection of stars from the league's other teams.
Irving becomes the third Sundogs player in franchise history to start in a CHL All-Star Game. Since joining the league in 2006-07, the Sundogs have had a player start in every CHL All-Star Game. Former forward Brent Kelly was named a starter for the 2007 All-Star game in Bossier-Shreveport during the Club's inaugural season and Tyler Redenbach started for the Southern Conference in last year's midseason showcase.
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