Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the four officials that will participate in the 2010 OHL All-Star Classic in Kingston next Wednesday February 3, 2010, at 7:00 pm.
The officiating crew features two local connections with former Kingston Frontenac forward Joel Washkurak refereeing the game, with Kingston native and fifth-year official Pat Brown working the lines. They will be joined by Sean McQuigge of Alliston, ON, who is skating in his 14th OHL season and ninth as a referee, and linesman Brian Hoard of Oshawa, ON, who is in the midst of his seventh OHL season.
“The Ontario Hockey League would like to congratulate the officiating team selected for the 2010 OHL All-Star Classic” said OHL Director of Officiating Conrad Hache. “Just as it is an honour for the players selected to participate in this game, these officials should be equally proud of their accomplishments thus far and enjoy their experience in Kingston.”
Washkurak, from Waterloo, ON, is skating in his 14th OHL season and 9th as a referee. He played two seasons for the Frontenacs from 1989-91 playing in 100 career games with the club. He will also suit up for Team Kingston when they take on Team OHL in the Alumni Classic following the Skills Competition on Tuesday February 2 at 7:00 pm at the K-Rock Centre. Although not competing in the alumni game, Hoard also played three OHL seasons from 1985-88 with 147 career games between the Hamilton Steelhawks, Belleville Bulls, and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds before being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.
The 2010 OHL All-Star Classic features 40 of the top OHL players representing all 20 member clubs with three players representing the host Frontenacs including Ethan Werek, Brian Lashoff, and Tyler Beskorowany. The Eastern Conference All-Stars have won four straight games most recently at the 2009 event in Windsor by a score of 11-6. The Battalion’s Cody Hodgson and Justin DiBenedetto of the Sarnia Sting received player of the game honours. Over the years the game has featured many players that have moved on to be NHL stars including the last three players to be selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft including Patrick Kane, Steven Stamkos, and John Tavares.
Tickets to the All-Star Classic are on sale now for $55 a piece for the two day event. These may be purchased by going on-line at www.k-rockcentre.com or by calling 1-877-KLIVE-99. They may also be purchased at the K-Rock Centre box office at 1 Barrack Street in Kingston.
For more information please visit the official event website www.ohlallstarclassic.com
