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All-Stars update

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Hand excused from All-Star game

Britain’s’ greatest ever hockey player Tony Hand MBE has reluctantly asked to be excused from appearing in the February 19th All-Star game.

The “Great One” spoke with Northern coach Dave Matsos and asked to be excused from the squad in view of a potential fixture gridlock for the Manchester Phoenix and his age. Hand commented, “I fully support the All-Star game in principle, I was flattered to be selected and for Dave Matsos to consider me as the Captain. But I’m 41 now and with a potential seven games in nine nights around the 19th, I feel a need to give my aging bones a bit of a rest. Matty and the league were extremely sympathetic of my request to be excused, and I hope the fans will understand.

“The All-Star game should be a night of fun and entertainment and if I can’t contribute fully, it wouldn’t be right. It’s about the younger guys too and when Dave told me he would call up Robert Dowd from the Steelers rather than another Manchester player who will have the same schedule as myself, I told him I thought that was a great idea.

Hand closed saying, “Dowd has had a great year for the Steelers and a place in the All-Star game for a young gun for the future is a good decision.”

All-Star coaches confirm their C’s and A’s

With the squads now all selected and the build-up to the February 19th Planet Ice All-Star game in full swing, both coaches have confirmed their Captains and Alternate Captains for the showpiece event.

Head coach for the Northern roster, Dave Matsos has decided against selecting a Captain in the absence of Tony Hand preferring instead to run with three Alternates instead. So wearing the A on their shirts will be George Awada (Belfast Giants), Jonathan Phillips and Rod Sarich (both Sheffield Steelers).

For the team representing the South, head coach Paul Thompson has confirmed Brad Voth (Cardiff Devils) as his team captain with Danny Meyers (Nottingham Panthers) and Adam Calder (Coventry Blaze) as the two Alternates.

Skills Competitions in the period intervals

Elite League officials have advised that the night of the All-Star game will see the period intervals used for Skills competitions. The exact format of the test of skills is still to be finalised, but the officials are sure the chances to demonstrate individual prowess will bring even more from the players in attendance.

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.

Playoff Finals tickets in All-Star Game prize draw

In a very special promotion for the night of the All-Star game, all supporters attending the game will be entered into a special draw to win tickets to the Elite League Playoff Finals weekend at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham on the weekend of April 4th & 5th.

Every ticket to the All-Star game will be numbered and a draw on the night will take place for the two special prizes… The two prizes are a Family weekend ticket for four people, two adults and two children, with the second prize being a pair of weekend tickets for the weekend.