All-Star roster changes announced

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today announced several additions to the team rosters for the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic, to take place Sunday and Monday, Jan. 29 and 30, in Atlantic City, N.J.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers forward Casey Cizikas and Albany Devils defenseman Alexander Urbom have been named to the Eastern Conference All-Star roster, while Lake Erie Monsters defenseman Tyson Barrie, Peoria Rivermen goaltender Ben Bishop, Rockford IceHogs defenseman Brian Connelly, Toronto Marlies forward Ryan Hamilton, Rochester Americans forward Zack Kassian, Oklahoma City Barons forward Ryan Keller and Charlotte Checkers forward Chris Terry have been added to the Western Conference All-Star squad.

In addition, the AHL announced that Bridgeport’s Calvin de Haan, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Simon Despres, Albany’s Matt Taormina, Toronto’s Joe Colborne and Nazem Kadri, Lake Erie’s Cedrick Desjardins, Milwaukee’s Ryan Ellis, San Antonio’s Jon Matsumoto, Rochester’s Brayden McNabb and Charlotte’s Jerome Samson will all miss the event.

The 2012 AHL All-Star Classic will feature the top young talent in the American Hockey League competing in an internationally televised showcase from historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Of the 562 players to take part in the AHL All-Star Classic since 1995, more than 93 percent have competed in the National Hockey League, including Patrice Bergeron, Dan Boyle, Daniel Briere, Ryan Callahan, Brian Campbell, Zdeno Chara, Jimmy Howard, Miikka Kiprusoff, Ryan Miller, Zach Parise, Pekka Rinne, Bobby Ryan, Martin St. Louis, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, P.K. Subban and Tomas Vokoun.

Tickets for the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic – including the 2012 AHL All-Star Skills Competition at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, and the 2012 AHL All-Star Game at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 30 – are on sale at the Boardwalk Hall box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling (800) 736-1420 or at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available for the Post-Skills Party (January 29, 5:30 p.m.) and the 2012 AHL Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Ceremony (January 30, 11 a.m.) at Caesars Atlantic City.

The 2012 AHL All-Star Classic is presented by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Caesars Entertainment, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the American Hockey League. For destination information about Atlantic City, please visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.