ALL-STAR CLASSIC EXPERIENCE A POSITIVE ONE FOR ROUSEK
Feb 7, 2023By Suzie Cool
The 2023 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Bell in collaboration with Manulife Bank has come and gone and Rochester Americans forward Lukas Rousek did an incredible job representing the Amerks organization.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2023 AHL ALL-STAR CHALLENGE PHOTO GALLERY: 2023 AHL ALL-STAR SKILLS COMPETITION
On Sunday night at Place Bell, Rousek helped the Eastern Conference claim a 16-10 win in the 2023 Rona AHL All-Star Skills Competition. Rousek participated in the Puck Control Relay, Pass and Score and Breakaway Relay events.
The Pacific Division then went on to be crowned victorious in the 2023 Mise-o-jeu AHL All-Star Challenge on Monday evening in front of a sold-out Place Bell. The North Division played in three games of the round robin event, all of which ended in a shootout.
Rousek replaced fellow Amerks forward Brandon Biro, who was unavailable to participate in the event due to injury.
“He's a go-to guy for us,” started Amerks head coach Seth Appert when asked what Rousek was going to be able to add to the event after his late addition. “He's a driver for us. He's putting up points. He's playing hard. He's doing a lot of really good things, and then from an All-Star perspective, those games are more about skill and playmaking and fun and he drips with all that stuff.”
Currently in his second season with the Amerks, Rousek ranks third on the team with 19 assists and tied for team’s overall scoring lead with 29 points while being one of only two Rochester skaters to appear in all 41 games this season. He also ranks third on the team with 10 goals.
“Rousek has been really good all year. Realistically, this is his first year in the American League,” commented Appert when asked how Rousek could take advantage of his first All-Star opportunity. “He just keeps getting better. He's very creative offensively. He's really good in open ice, and the All-Star Games are more skill based and three-on-threes and things like that.”
The road to the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs continues when the American Hockey League’s 87th season resumes on Friday, Feb. 10 when the Amerks return home to host the Springfield Thunderbirds at The Blue Cross Arena. Game time is slated for a 7:05 p.m. start and will carried live on The Sports Leader 95.7 FM/950 AM The Fan Rochester as well as AHLTV. The matchup will also be televised live locally on CW Rochester.