HARTFORD, January 17, 2013:  The American Hockey League today named Connecticut Whale right-wing Chad Kolarik to the Eastern Conference squad for the upcoming 2013 Dunkin’ Donuts AHL All-Star Classic in Providence, RI.

Dunkin’ Donuts AHL All-Star ClassicAfter losing the entirety of last season to injury, Kolarik, a fifth-year pro out of the University of Michigan, leads the 2012-13 Whale in goals, with 15, and ranks second on the club in points with 30, and is a +2 in 37 games.  The 26-year-old Kolarik also leads the Whale team in shots on goal with 121.

Kolarik, who was acquired by the New York Rangers organization November 11, 2010 from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Dane Byers, has logged 238 games of AHL action in his career, with the San Antonio Rampage, Syracuse Crunch, Springfield Falcons and the Whale, scoring 82 goals and adding 89 assists for 171 points, while serving 194 minutes in penalties.  The Abington, PA native has also suited up for six NHL career NHL games, four with the Rangers and two with the Blue Jackets, registering one assist and two PIM.

Beginning Friday and until January 24, fans will have the opportunity to vote for the starting lineups for the 2013 AHL All-Star Game by visiting facebook.com/theahl and completing the official CCM AHL All-Star Fan Ballot. Voters will also be entered to win prizes of a team-signed 2013 AHL All-Star stick (two) and team-signed 2013 AHL All-Star commemorative programs (10).

The 2013 Dunkin’ Donuts AHL All-Star Classic will take place January 27-28 in Providence.  Tickets are on sale now by calling the Providence Bruins at (401) 273-5000 or visiting www.providencebruins.com. All-Star 2-Packs are $55 and $75 and include admission to both the 2013 Pepsi AHL All-Star Skills Competition at 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, and the 2013 AHL All-Star Game at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 28. All-Star 4-Packs are $75 and $100 and include admission to the Skills Competition and the All-Star Game, as well as the Post-Skills Party (January 27, 9:30 p.m.) at the Rhode Island Convention Center and the 2013 AHL Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Ceremony (January 28, 11 a.m.) at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

The Whale are back in action tomorrow night, Friday, January 18, traveling to Springfield to meet the Falcons in a 7:00 PM game.  All of the action of that contest can be heard live on “Beethoven Radio” AM 1290.  Fans can also listen on-line at www.ctwhale.com, and video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.  The next home game for the Whale is this Wednesday, January 23, a 7:00 battle with the Adirondack Phantoms.

Whale tickets start as low as $10 each ($12 each when tickets are purchased on the day of the game), at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, through TicketMaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

Season tickets for the Whale’s 2012-13 AHL season are also available. For information on season seats, and all of the Whale’s many ticketing options, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 548-2000 to talk with an account executive today.

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