Torquato joins the list of OHL all-stars

NEWS RELEASES

ERIE OTTERS

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE

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The Ontario Hockey League announced today that Erie Otters forward Zack Torquato has been selected to participate in the 2007 OHL All-Star Classic being held January 30th and 31st in Saginaw, Michigan.

Torquato, the Otters leading scorer with 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points in 40 games this season, will be a member of the Western Conference squad.

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Ontario Hockey League Announces Rosters for the 2007 OHL All Star Classic

Saginaw - The Ontario Hockey League announced today the rosters of players who will compete in the 2007 OHL All-Star Classic on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw.

The Western Conference roster was selected by the management team of Mike Futa of the Owen Sound Attack and Mike Vellucci of the Plymouth Whalers. The Eastern Conference roster was selected by the management team of Stan Butler of the Brampton Battalion and Dave Brown of the Mississauga IceDogs. The teams will be coached by Dale Hunter of the London Knights and Marty Williamson of the Barrie Colts.

The rosters include eight players who won the gold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships earlier this month including Steve Downie, Kitchener Rangers, Sam Gagner, London Knights, James Neal, Plymouth Whalers, Ryan Parent, Guelph Storm who along with Ryan O’Marra and Tom Pyatt of the Saginaw Spirit will represent the Western Conference. Bryan Little, Barrie Colts, and Marc Staal of the Sudbury Wolves will represent the Eastern Conference.

Americans Patrick Kane, London Knights and Trevor Lewis, Owen Sound Attack also played in the World Junior Championships earlier this month in Sweden and will be representing the Western Conference in the All-Star Classic.

Along with forwards O’Marra and Pyatt, defenceman Patrick McNeill will also be representing the Saginaw Spirit on home ice. McNeill will be attending his third OHL All-Star Classic, following appearances in Owen Sound in 2005 and Belleville last year.

“The player’s who were named today to represent the Ontario Hockey League in our All-Star Game demonstrate the high level of talent that we have playing in our league,” said David Branch, Commissioner of the OHL. “The player selection process for this event is always difficult as there are so many gifted and deserving players in the Ontario Hockey League. Being chosen to play in the All-Star Classic speaks volumes about the skill level of the 40 young men who have been selected today, to represent their respective conferences. We are very proud to have such talented players in our league and to be represented by these fine young men. We are also looking forward to hosting the All-Star Game in the city of Saginaw. The support that the entire Mid-Michigan region has shown for the OHL and the Spirit is nothing short of outstanding and we are very proud to bring this showcase event to the hockey fans of this community.”

Tickets for the 2007 OHL All-Star Classic, which will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, can be purchased at the Dow Event Center Box Office or at the Saginaw Spirit Business Office. You can also call 989-497-7747 to reserve your seat for the OHL All-Star Classic.

The 2007 OHL All-Star Classic is supported by OHL partners Subway, Yamaha, and Reebok

2007 OHL All-Star Classic Roster

Western Conference Coach: Dale Hunter (London)

F - Tom Pyatt (Saginaw) F - Ryan O’Marra (Saginaw) F - James Neal (Plymouth) F - Evan Brophy (Plymouth) F - Steven Stamkos (Sarnia) F - Mickey Renaud (Windsor) F - Pat Kane (London) F - Sam Gagner (London) F - Zack Torquato (Erie) F - Steve Downie (Kitchener) F - Trevor Lewis (Owen Sound) F - Bobby Ryan (Owen Sound)

D - Patrick McNeill (Saginaw) D - Ryan Wilson (Sarnia) D - Josh Godfrey (Sault Ste. Marie) D - Ryan Parent (Guelph) D - Drew Doughty (Guelph) D - Bobby Sanquinetti (Owen Sound)

G – John Murray (Kitchener) G – Thomas McCollum (Guelph)

Eastern Conference Coach: Marty Williamson (Barrie)

F – Bryan Little (Barrie) F – Hunter Tremblay (Barrie) F – Nick Foligno (Sudbury) F – Tyler Donati (Belleville) F – Jamie McGinn (Ottawa) F – Logan Couture (Ottawa) F – Matt Caria (Toronto) F – John Tavares (Oshawa) F – Brett McLean (Oshawa) F – Bobby Hughes (Kingston) F – Chris Stewart (Kingston) F – Stefan Legein (Mississauga)

D – Marc Staal (Sudbury) D – Jonathan D’Aversa (Sudbury) D – Matt Pelech (Belleville) D – Derek Joslin (Ottawa) D – Michael Del Zotto (Oshawa) D – John de Gray (Brampton)

G – Andrew Perugini (Barrie) G – Trevor Cann (Peterborough)

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