SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League introduced at present that Geordie Kinnear of the Charlotte Checkers, John Gruden of the Toronto Marlies, Dan Watson of the Grand Rapids Griffins and Trent Cull of the Calgary Wranglers have clinched the glory of teaching on the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Spotlight 29 Casino, to be held February 2-3 in Palm Desert, Calif.
The Checkers, Marlies, Griffins and Wranglers all personal the very best report of their respective divisions as of the pre-determined deadline, the top of play on December 31, 2024.
Geordie Kinnear will information the Atlantic Division All-Star workforce, as Charlotte sits with a report of 18-8-1-2 (39 pts., .672). Kinnear is in his twenty third season teaching within the American Hockey League, and has been the top coach of the Florida Panthers’ high affiliate since 2016. Kinnear spent most of his eight-year taking part in profession within the AHL, profitable a Calder Cup with the Albany River Rats in 1995 and taking part in within the AHL All-Star Traditional in 1996 and 1998.
In his second season as head coach of the Marlies, John Gruden will lead the North Division because of Toronto’s league-best report of 17-5-2-3 (39 pts., .722) to this point in 2024-25. Gruden joined the group after serving as an assistant with the President’s Trophy-winning Boston Bruins in 2022-23, and he was an assistant with the New York Islanders once they reached the Stanley Cup semifinals in 2020 and 2021. As a participant, Gruden participated within the AHL All-Star Traditional in 2002.
Dan Watson heads to his first AHL All-Star Traditional representing the Griffins, who sit atop the Central Division with a report of 19-9-3-0 (41 pts., .661). Watson is presently in his second season as head coach in Grand Rapids and his sixteenth season total with the Detroit Crimson Wings group, having labored in a number of capacities with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye from 2009 to 2023.
The Calgary Wranglers will present the Pacific Division All-Star coach for the third consecutive season by advantage of their 21-9-1-0 report (43 pts., .694). Head coach Trent Cull, who led the Pacific Division eventually yr’s occasion, was named an interim assistant coach with the Calgary Flames on Dec. 22; Joe Cirella is serving because the Wranglers’ interim head coach till he returns.
The 2025 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Spotlight 29 Casino will embody the AHL All-Star Expertise Competitors offered by Silvercrest on Sunday, February 2, adopted by the AHL Corridor of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony offered by Highlight 29 On line casino and Silvercrest on Monday, February 3 and the 2025 AHL All-Star Problem offered by Highlight 29 On line casino that night. For ticket info, followers can go to cvfirebirds.com/allstar.
The Expertise Competitors pits the All-Stars from the 2 Japanese Convention divisions in opposition to these from the 2 Western Convention divisions in seven abilities occasions. The All-Star Problem is a round-robin, 3-on-3 event among the many 4 divisions to find out the All-Star champions.
The 2025 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Spotlight 29 Casino will characteristic the highest younger expertise within the American Hockey League: since 1995, greater than 94 p.c of All-Star Traditional individuals have gone on to compete within the Nationwide Hockey League, together with Cam Atkinson, Drake Batherson, Jordan Binnington, Michael Carcone, John Carlson, Brandt Clarke, Thatcher Demko, Lukas Dostal, Ryker Evans, Thomas Harley, Connor Hellebuyck, Joel Hofer, Tristan Jarry, Jordan Kyrou, Jonathan Marchessault, Jacob Markstrom, J.T. Miller, Brandon Montour, William Nylander, Kyle Palmieri, Mikko Rantanen, Dylan Strome, Tyler Toffoli, Linus Ullmark, Vitek Vanecek, Dustin Wolf and Mats Zuccarello.
In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League serves as the highest improvement league for the gamers, coaches, managers, executives, broadcasters and employees of all 32 Nationwide Hockey League groups. Almost 90 p.c of at present’s NHL gamers are American Hockey League graduates, and greater than 100 honored members of the Hockey Corridor of Fame hung out within the AHL of their careers.
