Lubbock Cotton Kings defenseman Craig Minard has been added to the Southern Conference All-Star roster for the 2007 Dodge CHL All-Star Game scheduled for Wednesday, January 17th in Bossier-Shreveport. Selected by All-Star Coach Terry Ruskowski of the Laredo Bucks, Minard replaces Arizona defenseman Michael Vernace, recently recalled by the Sundogs American Hockey League affiliate and impressing in action so far.

The Southern Conference is considered the “road team” since the game is being hosted by the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Northern Conference, but the fans in attendance will likely cheer instead of jeer when Minard takes the ice. The Orangeville, Ontario native spent the previous five seasons with the Mudbugs prior to joining the Cotton Kings during the off-season via a trade between the clubs. Minard, who ranks third on the Mudbugs all-time leading scorers among defensemen, is leading the Kings blueliners in points with 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points. This will mark Minard’s second trip to an All-Star game, having participated in the 2004 CHL All-Star Game in Albuquerque, New Mexico while playing for the Mudbugs.

Minard joins fellow Cotton Kings J.F. Perras and starter Simon Watson on the Southern Conference squad. He is the sixth Cotton Kings defenseman to earn a spot on an all-star squad in franchise history, joining Stacey Bauman, Brandon Carper, Derek Holland, Arturs Kupaks and Derick Martin.