British Columbia Hockey League graduates Brad Thiessen, Mark Dekanich and Nathan Oystrick will play in the American Hockey League all-star game Jan. 31 in Hershey, PA.
Thiessen, 24, was named a starter for the Eastern Conference squad based on his 17-3-0 record, 2.06 goals-against average and .921 save percentage with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate. The Aldergrove native played from 2003 to 2006 in the BCHL with three different clubs. In his final year, split between the Merritt Centennials and Prince George Spruce Kings, he racked up seven shutouts, still a BCHL record.
“I think in the second half of last year, I found my feet underneath me and was able to play,” Thiessen told Gary Ahuja of the Langley Times. “And then going into this year, I was able to continue what happened at the end of last year.”
North Vancouver native Dekanich, also a goalie, was one of three netminders named on the Western Conference side. The 24-year-old has gone 15-5-3 with two shutouts, a 1.77 goals-against average and .938 save percentage with the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville's AHL affiliate. As a member of the Coquitlam Express in 2003-04, won 13 games with two shutouts and a .910 save percentage.
Defending Dekanich will be Oystrick, a 28-year-old blueliner with the Peoria Rivermen who are the St. Louis Blues' AHL affiliate. In 25 games this season, the former South Surrey Eagle has 10 goals, 12 assists and 41 penalty minutes in 26 games. A Regina product, he's also played seven games with the Blues this season, recording two assists. In two seasons with the Eagles, scored 101 points in 110 games.
