MINARD NAMED STARTER FOR CANADIAN ALL-STARS AT 2009 AHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC PRESENTED BY CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Chris Minard has been voted a starter for the Canadian AHL All-Star Team at the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications, which takes place January 25 and 26 at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA.

Full Canadian Team Release

Minard, 27, leads the American Hockey League with 26 goals, 13 power play goals and seven game-winning goals, while ranking tied for second in the league with 41 points in 30 games.

The native of Owen Sound, ON, began the season by posting a 14-game point streak (14+10=24 from Oct. 8-Nov. 16), and posted a team-record seven-game goal streak (10 goals from Dec. 3-30).  Both of those streaks are tied for the longest in the AHL this season.

Minard is off to one of the most prolific starts in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins history.  He reached the 25 goal mark in just 27 games this season, and has already tied the team record for power play goals in one campaign, originally set by Greg Crozier in 2000-01 and tied by Minard last year.  His seven game-winning goals is the second-highest single season total in club history, behind only Kurtis McLean’s eight in 2007-08.

Minard has recorded 51 goals in parts of two seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and ranks tied for 10th on the team’s all-time goal scoring list.  His 26 career power play goals are fourth all-time in team history.