Rookie Justin Faulk Will Represent Hurricanes At 2012 All-Star Weekend In Ottawa

by Cory Lavalette on Jan 12, 2012 1:33 PM EST

Rookie defenseman Justin Faulk was the only Hurricanes player chosen to participate in the end-of-the-month All-Star Weekend. He was one of 12 rookies selected to take part in the Jan. 28 All-Star Skills Competition. (Photo by Jamie Kellner)

Defenseman Justin Faulk was chosen as the lone Carolina Hurricanes player to attend the 2012 All-Star Weekend in Ottawa in late January, earning a spot as one of 12 rookies who will participate in the All-Star Skills Competition on Jan. 28. Unless there are roster changes, Carolina will not have a representative at the Jan. 29 All-Star Game.

Faulk is in his first full professional season, having won an NCAA title at Minnesota-Duluth last spring before joining the Charlotte Checkers for the 2011 postseason. The 19-year-old has three goals — one behind three rookie blueliners with four this season — and six assists for nine points in 28 games this season. He ranks first in ice time among all rookies, logging 22:03 a night.

Last season, Eric Staal captained one team in the All-Star Game, which was played in Raleigh, while Cam Ward and Jeff Skinner also participated. Defenseman Jamie McBain, like Faulk this year, took part in the skills competition as a rookie participant.

The release from the team is after the jump.

JUSTIN FAULK CHOSEN TO ATTEND 2012 ALL-STAR WEEKEND

Defenseman will be one of 12 NHL rookies to participate in Skills Competition on Jan. 28

RALEIGH, NC – The National Hockey League today announced that Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk has been selected as one of 12 NHL rookies who will participate in the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend in Ottawa, Ont. He will participate in the NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft on Jan. 26, and the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Jan. 28.

Faulk, 19, has totaled three goals and six assists (9 points) in 28 games during his rookie NHL season with the Hurricanes. The South St. Paul, MN native currently leads all NHL rookie blueliners in ice time per game (22:03). The Hurricanes’ second-round selection (37th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Faulk made his NHL debut in the Hurricanes’ season opener against Tampa Bay on Oct. 7, and netted his first NHL goal at Winnipeg on Dec. 9.

Faulk (6’0", 205 lbs.) is in his first full professional season, after spending one year at the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2010-11, where he helped the Bulldogs capture their first NCAA Championship. He led UMD defensemen in goals (8), assists (25) and points (33) in 39 games, ranking tied for sixth among NCAA defensemen, first among freshman blueliners and tied for eighth among all first-year NCAA skaters in scoring (33 points). Faulk joined Charlotte of the American Hockey League (AHL) at the conclusion of his collegiate season, earning two assists in 13 Calder Cup playoff games.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

good for faulk no skinner?

Glad Faulk got an invite. I understand Skinner has been hurt but the kid was top 10 in scoring before the injury. I think he should be there as well.

by Matt Katlen on Jan 12, 2012 2:10 PM EST reply actions

Hopefully this will be a message to Staal… Im pretty sad Skinner didn’t make it, had he not been injureed I think he makes the cut.

Is a chance one is added once inevitible injuries start keeping players out.

by JussiJuice on Jan 12, 2012 2:16 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Congratulations Justin Faulk!

I suspect one of many accolades coming before his career is over. Nice to be able to see it happen.

When able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC

by hurricanefever on Jan 12, 2012 2:26 PM EST reply actions

Congrats to Faulk, he deserves the rookie selection. I’m a little disappointed no other Cane made it, but not really surprised.

Staal & Dalpe; The New Dynamic Duo or The Canes Crusaders!

by PackPride17 on Jan 12, 2012 2:49 PM EST reply actions

yeah, if Staal could just correct the cover sheets on hisTPS reports, that would be great...

In order for me to be disappointed, I would have to have some sort of unrealistic expectation of our team. I’m actually a little glad Skinner didn’t make it, give him a few days of rest. There will be PLENTY more opportunities for Skinner in the future.
Faulk making the rookie camp sounds about right.

by Caniac1026 on Jan 12, 2012 3:50 PM EST reply actions

They have to include at least one player from the Canes, but Faulk certainly deserves his spot. He may not be a big name right now outside the Canes, but he will be an All-Star again… Mark that down.

by JussiJuice on Jan 12, 2012 5:26 PM EST up reply actions