READING, Pennsylvania - Stockton Thunder veteran center Cory Urquhart (URK-hart) hit three targets and was 1-for-1 in a tie-breaker to win the Mei Gray Group Accuracy Shooting Competition event (individual), helping guide the National Conference to a 9-7 victory over the American Conference in the 12th Annual ECHL All-Star Skills Competition presented by Guardian Wear at Sovereign Center on Tuesday.

The 24-year old forward, who is making the first All-Star appearance of his career, tied the event-high with three target hits (Ryan Cruthers of Mississippi and Kevin Baker of Florida) and hit a 1-for-1 mark in the tie-breaker event to defeat both players and win the individual competition.

Urquhart, who is serving as an alternate captain for the National Conference team, helped guide the National Conference to its fourth victory in five seasons in the Skills Competition. The team winning the All-Star Skills Competition in the previous 11 years has gone on to win the ECHL All-Star Game.

Both Urquhart and Thunder forward Ryan Huddy participated in the Guardian Wear Breakaway Relay event, helping guide the National Conference to a 4-3 win in the event category. Huddy scored a goal against Florida Everblades goaltender David Leggio.

Urquhart ranks second on the Thunder with 32 points (15g-17a) in 30 games, additionally posting 24 penalty minutes this season. Urquhart ranks tied for second on the Thunder with four power-play goals and was selected in the second round (40th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

MeiGray Group Accuracy Shooting Competition)
* American Conference (8 targets) d. National Conference (6 targets)
* Cory Urquhart (Stockton), National Conference (3 targets)
* Ryan Cruthers (Mississippi), American Conference (3 targets)
* Kevin Baker (Florida), American Conference (3 targets)
* Mark Derlago (Bakersfield), National Conference (2 targets)
* Bryan Ewing (Wheeling), American Conference (2 targets)
* Colin Hemingway (Alaska), National Conference (1 target)

* Cory Urquhart (Stockton), National Conference was 1-for-1 in the tiebreaker to defeat Ryan Cruthers (Mississippi), American Conference and Kevin Baker (Florida), American Conference for the individual win.

Full results of the 12th annual ECHL All-Star Skills Competition presented by Guardian Wear can be found by clicking here.

2009 ECHL ALL-STAR GAME
The Reading Royals, the City of Reading and the Sovereign Center will host the 17th Annual ECHL All-Star Game on Jan. 21, 2009 and the 12th Annual All-Star Skills Competition on Jan. 20, 2009. There are 13 rookies on the National Conference and 20 of the 21 players are making their first appearance in an ECHL All-Star Game. There have been 46 players from the All-Star Game who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 29 since 2002 when the lineups began having players who coaches felt were prospects to move up to a higher level.

The Thunder are represented by three members for the National Conference team, which includes Urquhart, forward Ryan Huddy and head coach Matt Thomas, who makes his second appearance behind the All-Star bench in his career. It is the first ECHL All-Star selection for Huddy and Urquhart in their careers.

The Stanley Cup and the Patrick J. Kelly Cup will both be on display throughout the event, marking the ninth time in the last 10 years that the NHL championship trophy and the ECHL championship trophy have been displayed together at the All-Star Game.

A proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season tickets, group tickets, individual tickets and mini plans are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com.

Sherwood Hockey Puck Control Relay

National Conference (Matt Shasby, Alaska; Justin Taylor, Las Vegas and Matt Pope, Bakersfield) d. American Conference (Travis Morin, South Carolina; Barret Ehgoetz, Cincinnati and Jarret Lukin, Dayton).

Sherwood Hockey Individual Puck Control Relay

American Conference (Johann Kroll, South Carolina) d. National Conference (Ryan Huddy, Stockton).

CCM U+ Fastest Skater

National Conference (14.149) d. American Conference (14.222)

1. Dan Gendur (Victoria), National Conference (13.686). 2. Aaron Clarke (Wheeling), American Conference (13.816). 3. Aaron Brocklehurst (Florida), American Conference (14.138). 4. Mark Bomersback (Idaho), National Conference (14.250). 5. Matt Fornataro (Phoenix), National Conference (14.511). 6. Josh Aspenlind (Elmira), American Conference (14.712).

Reebok O-Stick Hardest Shot

American Conference (93.87) d. National Conference (92.85)

1. Dylan Yeo (Victoria), National Conference (97.7). 2. Matt Cohen (Trenton), American Conference (97.1). 3. Steve Ward (Reading), American Conference (95.4). 4. Tim Kraus (Ontario), National Conference (94.7). 5. Geoff Walker (Ontario), National Conference (93.3). 6. Elgin Reid (Wheeling), American Conference (92.4). 7. Matt Ford (Charlotte), American Conference (90.6). 8. Mike Wilson (Phoenix), National Conference (85.7).

Reebok Rapid Fire

American Conference (20 saves) d. National Conference (14 saves)

Kris Mayotte (Johnstown), American Conference (8 saves)

David Leggio (Florida), American Conference (7 saves)

Joe Fallon (Fresno), National Conference (6 saves)

Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (Alaska), National Conference (5 saves)

Michal Neuvirth (South Carolina), American Conference (5 saves)

John Murray (Ontario), National Conference (3 saves

MeiGray Group Accuracy Shooting Competition)

American Conference (8 targets) d. National Conference (6 targets)

Cory Urquhart (Stockton), National Conference (3 targets)

Ryan Cruthers (Mississippi), American Conference (3 targets)

Kevin Baker (Florida), American Conference (3 targets)

Mark Derlago (Bakersfield), National Conference (2 targets)

Bryan Ewing (Wheeling), American Conference (2 targets)

Colin Hemingway (Alaska), National Conference (1 target)

Cory Urquhart (Stockton), National Conference was 1-for-1 in the tiebreaker to defeat Ryan Cruthers (Mississippi), American Conference and Kevin Baker (Florida), American Conference for the individual win.

Guardian Wear� Breakaway Relay

National Conference d. American Conference, 4-3

American Conference vs. Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (Alaska), 4 saves: Travis Morin (South Carolina), miss; Jarret Lukin (Dayton), goal; Johann Kroll (South Carolina), miss; Josh Aspenlind (Elmira), miss; Aaron Brocklehurst (Flroida), miss; Barret Ehgoetz (Cincinnati), goal.

National Conference vs. Kris Mayotte (Johnstown), 6 saves; Matt Shasby (Alaska), miss; Matt Pope (Bakersfield), miss; Mark Bomersback (Idaho), miss; Dan Gendur (Victoria), miss; Jeff May (Las Vegas), miss; Matt Fornataro (Phoenix), miss.

American Conference vs. John Murray (Ontario), 6 saves; Aaron Clarke (Wheeling), miss; Matthew Ford (Charlotte), miss; Matt Cohen (Trenton), miss; Ryan Del Monte (Johnstown), miss; Elgin Reid (Wheeling), miss; Tyler Doig (Reading), miss.

National Conference vs. Michal Neuvirth (South Carolina), 4 saves; Justin Taylor (Las Vegas), goal; Geoff Walker (Ontario), miss; Michael Wilson (Phoenix), goal; Tom May (Utah), miss; Dylan Yeo (Victoria), miss; Tim Kraus (Ontario), miss.

American Conference vs. Joe Fallon (Fresno), 5 saves; Kevin Baker (Florida), miss; Jordan Fox (Gwinnett), miss; Ryan Gunderson (Trenton), miss; Ryan Cruthers (Mississippi), goal; Bryan Ewing (Wheeling), miss; Steve Ward (Reading), miss.

National Conference vs. David Leggio (Florida), 4 saves; Colin Hemingway (Alaska), goal; Ryan Huddy (Stockton), goal; Matt Stephenson (Idaho), miss; Mark Derlago (Bakersfield), miss; Jeff May (Las Vegas), miss; Cory Urquhart (Stockton), miss.

Outstanding Goaltender � Kris Mayotte (Johnstown), American Conference (14 saves)

ECHL Skills Competition Results

2009 Skills Competition at Reading, Pa.
National Conference 9, American Conference, 7

2008 Skills Competition at Stockton, Calif.
National Conference 19, American Conference 16

2007 Skills Competition at Boise, Idaho
American Conference 20, National Conference 11

2006 Skills Competition at Fresno, Calif.
National Conference 15, American Conference 8

2005 Skills Competition at Reading, Pa.
National Conference 10, American Conference 9

2004 Skills Competition at Peoria, Ill.
Eastern Conference 11, Western Conference 10

2003 Skills Competition at Estero, Fla.
Northern Conference 12, Southern Conference 9

2002 Skills Competition at Trenton, N.J.
Southern Conference 16, Northern Conference 8

2001 Skills Competition at North Little Rock, Ark.
Southern Conference 15, Northern Conference 5

2000 Skills Competition at Greenville, S.C.
Northern Conference 11, Southern Conference 8

1999 Skills Competition at Biloxi, Miss.
Southern Conference 13, Northern Conference 8

1998 Skills Competition at Lafayette, La.
Canada All-Stars 10, USA/World All-Stars 9

 

If you like the daily news of the Raw Feed, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to the nation's only alternative professional sports magazine, SZ, with original features and great action photography in baseball, hockey, basketball, and football. Just $11.99 per year for an e-zine like youʼve never seen!

 

Are You an Insider Yet?
SZ Insider. A look ahead into the big player feature, the big story, tips, rumors, and special opportunities for collectibles and memorabilia only available for our insiders. Free monthly to your e-mailbox. Click the link to subscribe to this FREE newsletter!