Starrett Selected to 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic

Wichita, KS (Jan. 4th) - The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, AHL's Bakersfield Condors and powered by Toyota, announced this afternoon that goaltender Shane Starrett has been selected to the Mountain Division All-Star Team. The 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic will take place on Monday, January 15th at 1 p.m. ET at Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, IN. The game will air LIVE exclusively on NHL Network. Starrett, 23, will be the Mountain Division All-Star netminder. The rookie from Bellingham, Massachusetts is fifth in the ECHL in save percentage (.926) and 12th in goals-against average (2.52). He is coming off of back-to-back wins this past weekend against the Allen Americans. Starrett stopped 40 of 41 shots on Saturday night in a 3-1 victory and made 29 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Thunder knock off the Americans by the final of 4-2.

For the first time in ECHL history, the All-Star Classic will feature not two, but four teams, representing each of the League's divisions. In a format similar to those adapted by the NHL and AHL All-Star Games, the four teams will compete in a 3-on-3 tournament in order to crown a winner. The two semifinal matches will be played within the Eastern and Western Conferences; with the East Division taking on the South Division and the Central Division facing the Mountain Division. The 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Skills Competition will take place after the second semifinal game, with the championship round following immediately at the conclusion of the Skills Competition.

The 2018 rosters feature 27 first-time ECHL All-Star selections, 12 rookies and nine players who have been selected in the NHL Entry Draft.

More than 65 players from the ECHL All-Star Game have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 51 since 2002 when the lineups began having players who coaches felt were prospects to move up to a higher level.

The rosters were determined in a vote of coaches, team captains, media relations directors, broadcasters and members of the media. Each of the ECHL teams is represented by a player in the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic.

North Division All-StarsG - Etienne Marcoux, Indy FuelD - Matt Petgrave, Brampton BeastF - Woody Hudson, Worcester RailersF - Alex Krushelnyski, Reading RoyalsF - Ty Loney, Adirondack ThunderF - Joel Lowry, Manchester MonarchsF - Cody Wydo, Wheeling Nailers

South Division All-StarsG - Martin Ouellette, Florida EverbladesD - Christopher Dienes, Jacksonville IcemenD - Nolan Valleau, Orlando Solar BearsF - Grant Besse, Norfolk AdmiralsF - Taylor Cammarata, South Carolina StingraysF - Caleb Herbert, Greenville Swamp RabbitsF - Phil Lane, Atlanta Gladiators

Central Division All-StarsG - Pat Nagle, Toledo WalleyeD - Kyle Bushee, Kalamazoo WingsD - Willie Raskob, Quad City MallardsF - Justin Danforth, Cincinnati CyclonesF - Mike McMurtry, Kansas City MavericksF - Michael Neal, Indy FuelF - Artur Tyanulin, Fort Wayne Komets

Mountain Division All-StarsG - Shane Starrett, Wichita ThunderD - David Makowski, Allen AmericansD - Cliff Watson, Utah GrizzliesF - Conner Bleakley, Tulsa OilersF - Michael Joly, Colorado EaglesF - Justin Parizek, Idaho SteelheadsF - Dante Salituro, Rapid City Rush

The 11th class will be inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame on Monday, Jan. 15 during a formal dinner, presented by BFL CANADA and Sutton Special Risk, featuring Induction Ceremonies, players from the ECHL All-Star Teams, and several of the NHL and ECHL's most prestigious trophies.

The 2018 ECHL All-Star Fan Fest, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers, will kick off the All-Star festivities Sunday, Jan. 14 from 2-8 p.m. at The Pavilion at Pan Am. Fans in attendance can enjoy a wide array of entertainment options throughout the day in anticipation for the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic. The Hockey Hall of Fame will be on hand with a variety of interactive activities and exhibits, including displays of ECHL and NHL trophies and memorabilia. Fans can enjoy a live performance from Indianapolis' own Hunter Smith Band, while having the chance to get autographs from Indy Fuel players, ECHL All-Stars and league mascots.

The Thunder returns to action this Friday night against the Quad City Mallards starting at 7:05 p.m.

Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Season tickets are still available for purchase. Get your seats for just $15 per month. All it takes is a $50 deposit per seat to reserve yours today. To learn more, click here or contact a Thunder representative at the office today!

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-Thunder-