By virtue of Tuesday afternoons 4-2 victory over Corpus Christi, Laredo Bucks Coach Terry Ruskowski has been named coach of the Southern Conference All-Stars for the January 22nd Dodge CHL All-Star Game in Albuquerque, New Mexico. All-Star coaches are determined by highest winning percentage following all games on December 23rd, and todays Bucks victory ensures the honor for Ruskowski. The Bucks, with a current winning percentage of .827, can finish with no worse than a .767 percentage on December 23, while Amarillo, their closest competitor, can finish no better than .732.
Along with the distinction, Ruskowski also earns the right to select the Southern Conference non-starters in conjunction with the CHL Hockey Operations Department.
In the Northern Conference, four coaches remain in contention for an All-Star berth; with Bossier-Shreveports Scott Muscutt (.696 win percentage) leading the way. Should the Mudbugs earn wins in two of their three games through December 23rd, Muscutt will earn the trip to Albuquerque. Also still in the running are Colorados Chris Stewart (.654), Indianapolis Ken McRae (.614) and Memphis Jim Wiley (.571).
Balloting for both conference starting line-ups will begin Wednesday, December 17th among all CHL coaches, public relations directors, and selected media members in each market. Each member team has designated six players (three forwards, two defenseman and a goaltender) to appear as their candidates for All-Star selection. Balloting concludes on Sunday, December 28th.
The All-Star starting line-ups will be announced the final week of December, with the non-starters announced the first week of January. Each CHL member team will be represented by at least one player on the All-Star team.
Additional Dodge CHL All-Star Game Information