Janne Kuokkanen, Trevor Carrick named AHL All-Stars

The American Hockey League announced Thursday that Charlotte Checkers defenseman Trevor Carrick and forward Janne Kuokkanen will represent the Checkers in the 2019 AHL All-Star Classic. Checkers head coach Mike Vellucci was previously announced as the coach for the Atlantic Division on Dec. 31st.

Carrick leads all Checkers defenseman with 21 points (5 goals, 16 assists) in 33 games this season. Carrick’s play earned him a brief NHL call-up earlier this season. The veteran defenseman has been a calming force for the Checkers who remain one of the younger teams in the American Hockey League. This is Carrick’s second All-Star game selection; he was also named to the 2016 All-Star team.

Kuokkanen has had an up and down year — literally. The Finnish forward has split time between Raleigh and Charlotte but has been dominant offensively in his time in the AHL. He’s posted 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 29 games this season and is one pace to beat his 40 points from last year. This is Kuokkanen’s 1st All-Star selection.

(Incidentally, Sebastian Aho will be representing both leagues at their respective All-Star weekends:)

The AHL All-Star weekend will take place on Jan. 27-28 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Below is the press release from the Checkers:

The American Hockey League today announced that Charlotte Checkers defenseman Trevor Carrick and forward Janne Kuokkanen will represent the Atlantic Division at the 2019 AHL All-Star Classic.

Carrick and Kuokkanen will join Checkers coach Mike Vellucci at the event that will be held in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Jan. 27-28.

This marks the second career selection for Carrick, who joins former Checker Jerome Samson (2011, 2012) as the only players to earn multiple All-Star selections with the team. A 24-year-old native of Stouffville, Ontario, who made his previous All-Star appearance in 2016, Carrick is currently tied for 12th among AHL defensemen with 21 points (5g, 16a) in 33 games. He is also tied for third among league blueliners with 10 power-play assists and is tied for second with three game-winning goals. A fourth-round draft pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2012, Carrick has spent all five of his professional seasons with the Checkers and currently ranks second in team history with 309 games played. He also ranks third with 119 assists, 155 points and 329 penalty minutes. Carrick has appeared in four career NHL games with the Hurricanes, including one this season.

This is the first All-Star selection for Kuokkanen, who ranks second on the Checkers with 27 points in 29 games. The 20-year-old also ranks second on the team with 11 goals that equal the amount he posted in 60 games as a rookie last season. A native of Oulunsalo, Finland, he also leads the team with six power-play goals and is tied for third on the team with 16 assists. Kuokkanen has played 11 career NHL games with the Hurricanes, who chose him with the 43rd overall draft selection in 2016, including seven this season.