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Two Firebirds named AHL All-Stars: Andrew Poturalski, Ryker Evans to represent team

shad powers, palm springs desert sun
·1 min read

The American Hockey League revealed its rosters for the 2023 All-Star Classic on Wednesday, and a pair of Firebirds will represent the Coachella Valley in the midseason event.

Forward Andrew Poturalski and defenseman Ryker Evans will represent the Pacific Division in the All-Star Classic, which will be Feb. 5-6 in Laval, Quebec. The AHL does not play a traditional All-Star Game. Instead, representatives from the four divisions battle it out in a series of skills competitions and three-on-three games.

Poturalski is tied for the Firebirds' team lead in points with 35 on nine goals and 26 assists. He also led the entire AHL last year in points while playing for the Coachella Wolves. It's his second All-Star nod, also receiving the honor during the 2020-21 season as a member of the San Diego Gulls.

Kole Lind is the Firebirds' hero in a 3-2 shootout win over San Jose

Coachella Valley forward Andrew Poturalski (22) takes the puck down the ice during the first period of their game at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
Coachella Valley forward Andrew Poturalski (22) takes the puck down the ice during the first period of their game at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.

Evans will make his All-Star debut. The rookie defenseman has three goals and 18 assists, tying him for the league lead in points from a defenseman. He also tops all rookies with a +/- of +18 (meaning the team has scored 18 more goals with him on the ice than the opponents).

The skills competition will be held Feb. 5 (Sunday) and the three-on-three challenge on Feb. 6 (Monday) at Place Bell in Laval. The event also includes the AHL Hall of Fame inductions of David Andrews, Keith Aucoin, Nolan Baumgartner, Dave Creighton and Bill Torrey.

Coachella Valley defenseman Ryker Evans (41) takes the puck down the ice and around Henderson defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during the second period of their game at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.
Coachella Valley defenseman Ryker Evans (41) takes the puck down the ice and around Henderson defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during the second period of their game at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.

The Firebirds (23-6-3-1) picked up two points Tuesday night with a shootout win and are currently alone in first place one point ahead of the Calgary Wranglers.

Next up for Coachella Valley is a home game at Acrisure Arena at 7 p.m. on Friday against the Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers affiliate).

Andrew Poturalski, Coachella Valley Firebirds
Andrew Poturalski, Coachella Valley Firebirds
Ryker Evans, Coachella Valley Firebirds
Ryker Evans, Coachella Valley Firebirds

Shad Powers is a columnist for The Desert Sun. Reach him at shad.powers@desertsun.com with any questions about the Firebirds or Acrisure Arena.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Valley Firebirds: Pair of players to represent team in AHL All-Star Classic