Rumble On The River
The 2004 ECHL All-Star Game will showcase several of the preeminent players in AA hockey.

12.18.03 -- A number of the best players in class AA hockey will be on display at the 2004 ECHL All-Star Game.

The league’s 12th Annual All-Star Game will be played on Wednesday, January 21, at the 9,919-seat Peoria Civic Center Carver Arena in Peoria, Ill.

John Butler, President/General Manager, of the Peoria Rivermen, is thrilled that his club is hosting the popular event.

“Without a doubt, the ECHL All-Star Game is the most coveted professional sporting event to premiere in Central Illinois,” said Butler. “We are truly excited for our fans, sponsors and all of Central Illinois to be selected as hosts of this event. Peoria and East Peoria will have the opportunity to showcase their fine cities on a national level.”

ECHL officials have expressed similar enthusiasm regarding holding the league’s showcase event in the Land of Lincoln.

“The East Coast Hockey League is very excited to bring its All-Star Game to Peoria and the Peoria Civic Center,” said Brian McKenna, President/CEO of the ECHL. “The Rivermen have a tremendous organization and play in a quality facility in a traditional market in front of some of the best fans in the ECHL.”

All the selections are in, and the rosters have been set for both the Eastern and Western Conference All-Star Teams.

The starting lineups were determined in voting by coaches in each conference, team captains, media relation directors, broadcasters, and newspaper writers.

Coaches also submitted the top prospects from within their conference that determined the final roster with each of the 31 teams in the ECHL having a representative.

2004 ECHL All-Star Game Western Conference Starters

Goaltender - Frederic Cloutier, Louisiana IceGators
Defense - Corey Neilson, Pensacola Ice Pilots
Defense - Ben Storey, Louisiana Ice Gators
Forward - Brent Gauvreau, Mississippi Sea Wolves
Forward - Steffon Walby, Mississippi Sea Wolves
Forward - Charles Linglet, Alaska Aces

This marks the second straight season that Mississippi’s Steffon Walby has been named as a starter. Walby is third in the ECHL with 36 points (14g-22a) and he is tied for fourth in the league with 14 goals.

It is the first appearance for the Sea Wolves’ Brent Gauvreau, who leads the ECHL with 25 assists and is tied for the ECHL lead with five game-winning goals. He ranks second in scoring with 37 points (12g-25a).

The ECHL Rookie of the Month for November, Alaska’s Charles Linglet leads ECHL rookies with 20 assists, is second with 31 points and is tied for second with 11 goals.

Louisiana’s Fredric Cloutier is also making his second appearance as a starter, having stopped 15 of 16 shots in the Southern Conference’s 7-6 win in the 2002 ECHL All-Star Game at Trenton. Under contract to Minnesota of the National Hockey League, the 22-year-old Cloutier is 9-2-2 and ranks eighth in the ECHL with a 2.14 goals against average.

Selected in the fourth round (98th overall) by Colorado in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft and under contract to Houston of the American Hockey League, Ben Storey leads ECHL defensemen with seven game-winning goals. The 26-year-old Storey is tied for the lead among defensemen with eight goals and is tied for third in scoring with 24 points.

Selected in the third round (53rd overall) by Edmonton in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Pensacola’s Corey Neilson leads ECHL defensemen with 15 power-play assists and 19 power-play points and is tied for the ECHL lead among defensemen with 23 assists and ranks second with 30 points.

 

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2004 ECHL All-Star Game Western Conference Reserves [p. 2 of 4]

2004 ECHL All-Star Game Eastern Conference Starters [p. 3 of 4]

Eastern Conference Reserves / Coaches & Staff [p. 4 of 4]