NYQUIST NAMED TO AHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The American Hockey League announced on Wednesday that Grand Rapids Griffins left wing Gustav Nyquist has been selected to play for the Western Conference AHL All-Star Team at the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic, which will be held Jan. 29-30 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

Nyquist, 22, currently leads the Griffins in scoring with 30 points (9-21—30) in 30 games, tying for 11th in the AHL overall scoring and second among rookies. Nyquist also ranks among team leaders with 21 assists (1st), 13 powerplay points (1st), two shootout goals (2nd) and eight multi-point contests (1st). He is the first rookie Griffins forward to be chosen for an all-star game since Chris Bala in the 2001-02 season and the second straight first-year Griffin to be selected (Brendan Smith in 2011).

A native of Halmstad, Sweden, Nyquist was selected by the Detroit Red Wings with their third choice (121st overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He is currently in the NHL, having been recalled by the Red Wings on Dec. 29. He recorded his first NHL point in Detroit’s 5-4 win over Dallas on Tuesday, assisting on a goal by former Griffin Cory Emmerton.

The first-year pro led the University of Maine in scoring all three seasons he was there, receiving a Hobey Baker Award nomination in consecutive seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11). He capped off his collegiate career last year with 51 points (18-33—51) in 36 games, earning him a selection to the NCAA Second All-American Team and Hockey East First All-Star Team.

Nyquist will be joined on the ice in Atlantic City by four former Griffins: forwards Darren Haydar (Chicago), Krys Kolanos (Abbotsford) and Chris Mueller (Milwaukee), and defenseman Clay Wilson (Abbotsford). Former Griffins defenseman and current Oklahoma City head coach Todd Nelson will serve as the head coach for the Western Conference squad.

Both the 2012 AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, Jan. 29 (3 p.m.) and the 2012 AHL All-Star Game on Monday, Jan. 30 (7 p.m.) will be televised live nationally in the United States and Canada.

2012 AHL All-Star Classic
Jan. 29-30 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

2012 AHL All-Stars – Western Conference
Abbotsford – F Krys Kolanos, D Clay Wilson
Charlotte – F Jon Matsumoto, F Jerome Samson
Chicago – F Darren Haydar (“C”), D Kevin Connauton
Grand Rapids – F Gustav Nyquist
Hamilton – D Frederic St. Denis
Houston – G Matt Hackett, F Jon DiSalvatore
Lake Erie – G Cedrick Desjardins
Milwaukee – D Ryan Ellis, F Chris Mueller
Oklahoma City – F Philippe Cornet, G Yann Danis, D Alex Plante
Peoria – F T.J. Hensick, D Cade Fairchild
Rochester – D Brayden McNabb
Rockford – F Brandon Pirri
San Antonio – D Colby Robak
Texas – F Matt Fraser
Toronto – F Joe Colborne, F Nazem Kadri

Head Coach: Todd Nelson, Oklahoma City

2012 AHL All-Stars – Eastern Conference
Adirondack – G Michael Leighton
Albany – D Matt Taormina
Binghamton – F Corey Locke
Bridgeport – D Calvin de Haan
Connecticut – F Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, F Mats Zuccarello
Hershey – F Boyd Kane (“C”), F Keith Aucoin, F Chris Bourque
Manchester – G Jeff Zatkoff, D Thomas Hickey
Norfolk – D Mark Barberio, F Cory Conacher, F Trevor Smith
Portland – F Andy Miele
Providence – F Carter Camper
Springfield – F Cam Atkinson
St. John’s – D Paul Postma, D Zach Redmond
Syracuse – F Kyle Palmieri
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton – D Simon Despres, F Colin McDonald
Worcester – D Matt Irwin, G Tyson Sexsmith

Head Coach: Keith McCambridge, St. John’s