The AHL announced its first- and second-team all-stars today. Here they are:
2014-15 AHL First All-Star Team
Goaltender - Matt Murray, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (38gp, 24-9-3, 1.50gaa, .943sv%, 12so)
Defense - Brad Hunt, Oklahoma City Barons (57gp, 17+31=48pts., -6, 8 PPG)
Defense - Chris Wideman, Binghamton Senators (70gp, 17+37=54pts., +5, 7 PPG, 3 GWG)
Left Wing - Chris Bourque, Hartford Wolf Pack (67gp, 27+32=59pts., +2, 10 PPG)
Center - Andy Miele, Grand Rapids Griffins (66gp, 24+43=67pts., +12, 8 PPG, 4 GWG)
Right Wing - Teemu Pulkkinen, Grand Rapids Griffins (46gp, 34+27=61pts., +1, 10 PPG, 6 GWG)
2014-15 AHL Second All-Star Team
Goaltender - Jacob Markstrom, Utica Comets (28gp, 19-7-2, 1.91gaa, .932sv%, 5so)
Defense - Colin Miller, Manchester Monarchs (65gp, 17+30=47pts., +8, 10 PPG, 3 GWG)
Defense - Bobby Sanguinetti, Utica Comets (58gp, 16+22=38pts., +22, 6 PPG, 6 GWG)
Left Wing - Shane Prince, Binghamton Senators (67gp, 25+34=59pts., +6, 9 PPG, 5 GWG)
Center - Jordan Weal, Manchester Monarchs (70gp, 19+46=65pts., +7, 8 PPG, 6 GWG)
Right Wing - Brian O’Neill, Manchester Monarchs (66gp, 22+52=74pts., +25, 9 PPG, 7 GWG)
The press release has more details on each player.
Picking one to expand on, Murray is certainly an interesting story. Property of the Pittsburgh Penguins, this was the 20-year-old’s first full season as a professional. So, what does his long-term future with the organization hold, given the Penguins gave Marc-Andre Fleury a four-year extension in November? Could we see Murray in the backup role as soon as next season, or would he be better off with more time in the minors? Fleury’s current backup, Thomas Greiss, is a pending unrestricted free agent.
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