FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME 

As you should know by now, the AHL’s leading scorer, Hartford Wolf Pack center Corey Locke, was selected the third year in a row, to represent his native Canada in the upcoming AHL All-Star Game on January 18th and 19th at the Cumberland County Arena in Portland, Maine.

When asked what it means to him be heading to the All-Star game for the fourth time in six years, Locke said, “It’s an honor just like every year. There’s good players on each team and a lot of good guys get left off that should be on it. It’s an honor to be selected.”

Apparently the honor doesn’t wear thin either, even after being selected as many times as he has. “It’s still an honor and it feels just as good as the first time.”

Locke found out about it in a way that had to be particularly rewarding. “G (Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander) told me on the ice. He let the whole team know that I was selected and that I’d be representing Hartford on the Canadian AHL All-Stars.” Locke said proudly. “He did it in front of all the guys so that was really nice.”

Locke will certainly have a tough time replicating the kind of night he had in last season’s event in Worcester at the DCU Center. in the 2009 game, Locke set an AHL record while representing the Houston Aeros. The Toronto native scored four goals and adding an assist for five points. Teddy Purcell from Manchester had five assists. But it wasn’t enough as ex-Pack, and current NY Rangers center, Artem Anisimov had a goal and two assists to help lead PlanetUSA to a 14-11 victory.

“It’s lots of fun,” Locke said. “You get to go there and it’s a totally different atmosphere. You play against all these guys and you’re grinding it out with them and against them and you’re playing an intense brand of hockey.” He then added, “Then right in the middle of the hockey season you get to play kind of a (silly) hockey game. There’s not really hitting and you put on a show for the fans and there are a lot of nice goals and nice plays and stuff and that’s kind of what it’s all about.”

You would think that an All-Star game where the best of the AHL are playing against one another that there might be some pressure with all the scouts there. Locke didn’t seem to think so. “It’s nice just to be represented. I’m sure these scouts know that all the guys are picked for a reason. It’s nice that you’re there, but it’s not like they’re coming to watch you play a Hartford against Springfield, you know a rivalry game you battle in a war.” He said. “This is more of you showing off your skills; your fancy moves and stuff like that. It’s totally different from a regular season game.”

Locke will compete in the skills competition that will come on Monday night (the 18th). “ I like the 3-on-0 drill. That one where you get three guys and you try and make the goalie get out of place.” Last season though, he also skated in the fastest skater competition. “I’m not the fastest skater and I don’t know why I got thrown in there.”

Despite what you might think, the players don’t have a choice in what events they participate in. “There’s just a list when you get there of what you’re doing so.” He said. “Hopefully I’ll get to do the fun ones and leave the skating ones to someone else and just watch.”

(Photo courtesy of Hartfordwolfpack.com)