Justin Parizek selected to 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic

Boise, ID (1/4/18) – The ECHL announced the rosters on Thursday for the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, held on January 15th in Indianapolis at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Steelheads forward Justin Parizek has been selected to represent the Steelheads for the Mountain Division, the rookie making his first professional All-Star appearance.

Parizek will be Idaho’s lone representative, with each team in the league sending one player except for the host Indy Fuel, who will send two. The 25 year-old out of the University of Nebraska-Omaha has recorded 12 goals and 24 points in 27 ECHL games this season, ranking fourth on the Steelheads’ roster in scoring and tied for second in goal-scoring.

The Lakeville, Minnesota native also ranks high among rookie performers league-wide, ranked fourth in goals, tied for third with four power play goals, and tied for ninth in points. Parizek also leads the league in shootout goals, scoring in all four of his attempts this season.

“It’s an honor that is incredibly well-deserved for Justin,” said Steelheads Head Coach Neil Graham. “Justin takes incredible care of his body. He comes in early and stays on the ice late, and he’s a professional. To see him get rewarded for the amount of effort he puts forth and the pride he takes in his craft, that’s what it’s all about.”

“In terms of being rewarded for what you’ve done on the ice and off the ice, there is no one more deserving.”

Parizek’s strong play earned him playing time in the American Hockey League during the first half of the season, the forward signing a professional tryout with the San Jose Barracuda during December and playing in three games.

The CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic will begin at 11am MT, televised live exclusively on NHL Network.  The rosters were determined in a vote of coaches, team captains, media relations directors, broadcasters, and members of the media.

North Division All-Stars

G – Etienne Marcoux, Indy Fuel

D – Matt Petgrave, Brampton Beast

F – Woody Hudson, Worcester Railers

F – Alex Krushelnyski, Reading Royals

F – Ty Loney, Adirondack Thunder

F – Joel Lowry, Manchester Monarchs

F – Cody Wydo, Wheeling Nailers

South Division All-Stars

G – Martin Ouellette, Florida Everblades

D – Christopher Dienes, Jacksonville Icemen

D – Nolan Valleau, Orlando Solar Bears

F – Grant Besse, Norfolk Admirals

F – Taylor Cammarata, South Carolina Stingrays

F – Caleb Herbert, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

F – Phil Lane, Atlanta Gladiators

Central Division All-Stars

G – Pat Nagle, Toledo Walleye

D – Kyle Bushee, Kalamazoo Wings

D – Willie Raskob, Quad City Mallards

F – Justin Danforth, Cincinnati Cyclones

F – Mike McMurtry, Kansas City Mavericks

F – Michael Neal, Indy Fuel

F – Artur Tyanulin, Fort Wayne Komets

Mountain Division All-Stars

G – Shane Starrett, Wichita Thunder

D – David Makowski, Allen Americans

D – Cliff Watson, Utah Grizzlies

F – Conner Bleakley, Tulsa Oilers

F – Michael Joly, Colorado Eagles

F – Justin Parizek, Idaho Steelheads

F – Dante Salituro, Rapid City Rush

The event takes new shape this year, featuring 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 11th class will be inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame on Monday, January 15th 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.