2 from Walleye named ECHL all-stars

1/1/2010
BLADE STAFF

Two Toledo Walleye players were selected Thursday to play in the ECHL all-star game.

Defenseman J.C. Sawyer and forward Maxime Tanguay are two of 21 players who will represent the American Conference at the all-star game Jan. 20 in Ontario, Calif.

Sawyer, who leads all ECHL defensemen in scoring with 28 points (12 G, 16 A), was selected as a starter.

Sawyer is tied for the team lead in goals scored. He also has five game-winning goals, tying him for the most among all ECHL players.

Three of the decisive goals were collected in overtime.

Tanguay leads Toledo in scoring with 30 points (11 G, 19 A). Tanguay's assists and total points rank second among ECHL rookies.

Thirteen of his 30 points have come on the power play. Tanguay, a third round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks (2007), also scored the first Walleye franchise goal history on Oct. 16 against Florida.

The American Conference team has 11 rookies and 19 players are making their first appearance in the ECHL all-star game.

The other American Conference starters are South Carolina goalie Todd Ford, South Carolina defenseman Zach Tarkir, Elmira forward Justin Donati, Reading forward Ben Gordon, and Florida forward Jacob Micflikier.

The lineups are determined by votes from coaches, captains, and media members.

Each of the 12 teams has at least one representative.

A skills competition will be held Jan. 19.