Coach Nelson and four Barons head to All Star Game

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — A large delegation of Barons, plus their coach are sixteen percent of the Western Conference All Stars for the 2012 AHL Classic. Maintaining first place mid-way through the season resulted Coach Nelson being named to the coaching staff.
“It is an honor to be a part of that. It is a feather in our cap and good for our organization to have four players represented,” Nelson said.
 
He continued saying, “It bodes well for Oklahoma City hockey as well as Edmonton Oiler hockey.”
 
Two of the Barons have appeared in All Star Games before, while the two sophomores are in their first All-Star appearance and have been voted starters by the fans. Goaltender Yann Danis appeared in the 2006 game while with Hamilton, while Ryan Keller appeared in the 2010 game when he was with Binghamton.
 
“It’s a great atmosphere, I am definitely looking forward to it,” Danis said.
 
Keller leads the Barons in scoring, which should surprise no one. When Nelson was nominating names, Keller graciously deferred to the younger players.
 
“Let the other guys have an opportunity to go there,” said Keller. It wasn’t until the roster changes were announced on January 24, that Keller learned that he has been added. “Bill [Scott] and Todd [Nelson] called me into the office and let me know, I found out on Tuesday,” Keller said.
 
Winger Phillip Cornet and defenseman Alex Plante have the privilege of being in the starting line-up. Both players seemed surprise by the voting results.
 
“That means a lot of people wanted me to start; that is nice to know,” said Cornet.
 
Plant described himself as being “absolutely ecstatic” when learning of his All Star selection and showed some humor when asked about the honor of being a starter.
 
“Don’t know how that happened, I’m not “Mr. Highlight” reel. I think my family voted a whole bunch,” said Plante.
 
“Our team being in first place had something to do with it as well,” said Nelson.
 
  “Phil [Cornet] has 20 goals and for Alex [Plante], he is leading the team in plus/minus. It is a great honor for them to start in the All Star game,” Nelson said.
 
The Barons record of 27-11-2-3 was recognized by Plante.
 
“Having such great team success leads to personal success. It motivates me to continue to move forward,” Plante said.
The previous format used in the 1998 to 2010 All Star Games of Planet USA versus Canada, isn’t too popular with the players.
 
“You might see more of a rivalry game,” Keller said.
 
The 2012 AHL All Star Classic will follow the East versus West format, which the players seem to favor.
 
“I think it is a better way of doing it; that’s the way they do it in the NHL,” Danis said.
 
His preferences were echoed by Cornet who realized conference rivalry will not be present.
 
“It is good they kept the same format; it is good for the fans too. I’ll be playing with players, instead of against them,” Cornet said.
 
The format of East versus West is less limiting on nationality.
 
“It will be more American and European players playing. I think it is a more consistent way of keeping it,” Plante said.
 
The 2012 All Star Classis will be the first time a venue will be outside a league city. Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall will host both the Skills Competition and the All Star Game. Oklahoma City Barons fans wishing to watch the Monday evening All Star Game will need to stream the live broadcast via the AHL Live (ahllive.com).
  Contact the author at ghamill@prohockeynews.com