AMHL All-Stars keep annual contest alive with high-scoring game
By Craig Fraser
JASPER PLACE — The Alberta Midget Hockey League’s premier talent was on display at the 23rd annual all-star game on Feb. 5.
Team North, represented by the Dodge Division, won 8-5 over Team South, represented by the AMHL’s Chrysler Division in the game, which features players at the Midget level of hockey, ages 15 to 17.
The game, hosted by the Canadian Athletic Club on its 75th anniversary, took place at the Bill Hunter Arena at 9200 163 St., in front of parents, fans and junior and professional hockey scouts.
Mitch McAllister (left) of Team South is chased down by Team North's Ty Stanton during second period action at the 23rd Annual AMHL All-Star game at Bill Hunter Arena on February 5, 2012. Photograph by Craig Fraser.
As much fun as the game was for the players, the experience was nail-biting for some of the family and friends watching. For Steven Poitras, watching some of his friends play in the game was nerve-racking.
“You’re seeing all the scouts at the game from teams in the WHL and even a couple guys scouting from the Oilers and you just hope they’re picking your friends,” Poitras said, who watched his friends on Team North from the stands. “I kind of want to go talk to the scouts and beef up the guys a little bit.”
The AMHL coaches selected the players from each team. The victor of the game was awarded the Chrysler Cup.
For Team South goaltender Dasan Sydora, the chance to play in the all-star game was exciting. “It was fun. Any player would want to be a part of this,” Sydora said.
The 17-year-old, who plays for the Red Deer Optimist Rebels, was named the first star of the game for stopping all 24 shots he faced before handing over net minding duties to Devin McDonald of the AMHL’s Calgary Flames.
The AMHL all-star game has been around since 1984, with the South having a total of 10 Chrysler Cup wins since 1989-90 and the North with now 13 cups after Sunday’s game. The game has featured current NHL talent such as Dany Heatley of the Minnesota Wild and Jay Bouwmeester of the Calgary Flames.
Team South started the game’s scoring, going up 2-0 from goals by Nick Josephs and Sam Plaquin in the first period. Tyler Wong, Riley Whittingham, and John Edwardh scored later for the South, but Team North came back in the second period with goals from Dodge division assistant captains Carson Soucy, Spencer Foo and Jetlan Houcher. Taylor Cooper, Shelby Kostyshen, Tommy Hrazdira, Ambrose Firkus and Team North captain Jarrett Brown all potted goals in the third to make the final score 8-5 in favour of the Northern All-Stars, who celebrated their third Chrysler Cup in six years.
Team North celebrates an 8-5 victory over Team South at the 23rd Annual AMHL All-Star game at Bill Hunter Arena on February 5, 2012. Photograph by Craig Fraser.
The AMHL All-Star Awards Banquet was held on Feb. 4at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel. CAC alumnus Matt Frattin, currently with the Toronto Maple Leafs, was named honorary captain for the Dodge Division team. Former Edmonton Oiler Fernando Pisani was named honorary captain for the Chrysler Division team. Both CAC alumni played for the Gregg Distributors, Pisani in 1992-93 and Frattin in 2004-06.
Guest speakers for the All-Star Awards Banquet were Edmonton Oil Kings assistant coach Steve Hamilton as well as AMHL alumnus and current Edmonton Oil King Travis Ewanyk.
