Johnson, Barberio And Connolly Named AHL All-Stars

The American Hockey League announced the 2012-13 AHL First and Second All-Star Teams, as voted by AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 30 cities.

The Lightning organization was well represented as Tyler Johnson was named a first team all-star and Mark Barberio and Brett Connolly made the second team.

Via AHL.com:

Each All-Star Team member will receive a custom-designed crystal award in recognition of his selection to the 2012-13 AHL First and Second All-Star Teams.

Tyler Johnson, Center (Syracuse Crunch): 

After finishing second among AHL rookies in scoring in 2011-12, Tyler Johnson has recorded 58 points in 59 games this season, ranking second overall in the AHL in goals (32) and third in plus/minus rating (+25). A 22-year-old native of Spokane, Wash., Johnson has registered 17 multiple-point games this year, including his first career hat trick in a win at Albany on Feb. 18. Johnson has notched three goals and three assists in 13 games with Tampa Bay this season after making his NHL debut on Mar. 14.

Mark Barberio, Defense (Syracuse Crunch): 

Last year’s winner of the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s outstanding defenseman, Mark Barberio has notched eight goals, 32 assists and a plus-7 rating in 70 games for Syracuse this season, his third as a professional. The 23-year-old Montreal native has amassed 23 of his points on the power play, third-most among AHL defensemen, and leads all AHL rearguards in shots on goal (206). A 2008 draft pick by Tampa Bay, Barberio made his NHL debut with the Lightning on Apr. 9.

Brett Connolly, Right Wing (Syracuse Crunch): 

After spending the entire 2011-12 campaign in the NHL as a 19-year-old rookie with Tampa Bay, Brett Connolly has flourished with the Lightning’s top development team in Syracuse this season, tallying 27 goals, 30 assists and a plus-15 rating in 67 games with the Crunch. The sixth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Connolly, who is one off the AHL lead with his seven game-winning markers, was the CCM/AHL Player of the Month for February after posting 15 points in 13 contests, including a nine-game scoring streak.

All photos courtesy of Susan Ferlita.

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