(Walpole, MA) -- Eight Walpole Express players and four alternates will participate in this year’s AJHL and MJHL All-Star games at Iorio Arena on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009. “We are thrilled to host this marquee event for the second time in four years,” said Iorio GM and Express Owner Rob Barletta. “Iorio’s twin-ice facility, conveniently situated on Route 1, is a great location for players, fans and scouts alike. We intend to put on a first-class event.”

The Express Jr. A team will be represented by forwards Charles LaChance (16-19-35) and Steve Charest (12-24-36), who rank third and fourth respectively in scoring in the AJHL and have been among the best players in the league all season. "Steve and Charles have played well in all situations and are very deserving of this honor," said Coach Mark Kumpel. The Express will also be represented on the AJHL roster by alternates Adam Korol, Rich Stine and Matt Harrington.

The Express Jr. B team will have a strong presence in the MJHL game with six players and one alternate. MJHL leading scorer Georgiy Gurianov (38-27-65) leads the way, along with forwards Shaun Gould (22-9-31) and Will Harrop (8-21-29). On the back line the Express will send Joobin Mozaffarimehr (4-25-29) and Jordan Fragoza (11-22-33), as well as alternate Jide Idowu. Goaltender Zach Andrews also received the nod with his 1.80 GAA and .918 save percentage. Head Coach Tony Dalessio will make his forth appearance behind the All-Star bench, this time as coach of the MJHL North team.

"We are excited for our all of our players,” Dalessio said. “It is a special day that recognizes the great results they have achieved to this point in the season. It is also an opportunity for our guys to play with the other top players in our division -- players they are normally battling against every weekend."

Wrap-up/Upcoming Games
Hockey action was light as the B team had the weekend off and the Express A team played a pair of non-league games against the St. Lawrence Lions from Quebec City. The games were played at the Fieldhouse in Rutland, VT, home of the ECAC DIII Castleton State Spartans. The Express won both games: 10-2 on Saturday and 3-0 Sunday. The A team will stay with the non-league theme again this weekend when they host Bridgeton Academy at Iorio Arena on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 12:40 p.m.

The B team will be back in MJHL action in Hackensack, N.J. where they’ll face the Washington Little Capitals and North Jersey Avalanche in two out-of-division games.