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All-Star rosters nearing completion

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Ahead of the busy weekend schedule in the bmibaby Elite League, the respective head coaches, Dave Matsos and Paul Thompson, each took time to name four more additions to their rosters for the February 19th Planet Ice sponsored bmibaby Elite League All-Star game.

Dave Matsos has added three more homegrown talents to his Northern squad together with another potent offensive force.

The Sheffield Steelers coach has named Welshman Jonathan Phillips of his own Steelers squad together with two Scots in Adam Walker of the Manchester Phoenix and Colin Shields of the Belfast Giants. All three are capable of finding the net, but Matsos has added an insurance policy in prolific goalpoacher and former NHLer Eddie Courtenay of the Newcastle Vipers.

Not to be outdone, Coventry Blaze and GB coach Paul Thompson has selected a mixture of British defensive grit and explosive imported offense for the team to represent the South.

A stalwart of the Cardiff Devils, Jason Stone will join Thommos’ blueline corps with the offense coming from gritty centreman Bruce Richardson of the Nottingham Panthers, regular twine-tickler Greg Chambers of the Basingstoke Bison and the mercurial skills of Ukrainian-born Konstantin Kalmikov from the Hull Stingrays.

A spokesperson for the Elite League commented, “Both rosters are now nearing completion and we expect further announcements this week with Matty and Thommo adding the final touches over next weekend. This event promises to be a classic evening of entertaining hockey with a terrific array of stars for the fans to enjoy come the 19th.”

The All-Star game – supported by Planet Ice - will take place on Thursday 19th of February at the Coventry Skydome with a 7.30pm face-off, and tickets are already on sale priced at £15 for Adults; £7 for U-16; £10 for Concessions and Family Tickets (2 Adults and 2 U-16) at £38.