The American Hockey League announced today that defenseman Calvin de Haan has been selected to represent the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Jan. 29-30.

de Haan, 20, earns a trip to the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic in his first professional season. The Carp, ON native has recorded two goals and seven assists in 29 games with the Sound Tigers. de Haan was the New York Islanders first round pick (ninth overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and made his NHL debut this season on Dec. 15 against the Dallas Stars.

"It's a great feat for any player, but I'm very honored by this," said de Haan after learning of his selection to the 2012 AHL All-Star roster. "It will be a great opportunity to play with the best players in our league...I'm really looking forward to it."

de Haan is the fourth Sound Tigers defenseman to appear in the AHL All-Star Classic in the last four seasons, following Andrew MacDonald (2009), Dustin Kohn (2010), and Mark Wotton (Eastern Conference Captain, 2011).

In addition, 2012 AHL All-Star Classic Fan Balloting presented by Reebok will begin Thursday, January 5, at noon ET on the official Web site of the AHL at theahl.com and on the Official American Hockey League Fan Page at facebook.com/theahl.

Fans will have the opportunity to vote for the starting lineups for the 2012 AHL All-Star Game by visiting theahl.com or facebook.com/theahl and completing the official Reebok AHL All-Star Fan Ballot. By completing the official ballot, fans will also be entered to win a grand prize of a team-signed authentic 2012 AHL All-Star jersey. Five more winners will each receive a pair of tickets to the 2012 AHL All-Star Skills Competition and All-Star Game, courtesy of Insurance Office of America.

On-line fan balloting at theahl.com will end at noon ET on Monday, January 23, 2012.

Tickets for the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic – which include admission to both the 2012 AHL All-Star Skills Competition at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, and the 2012 AHL All-Star Game at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 30 – are on sale now at the Boardwalk Hall box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling (800) 736-1420 or at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available for the Post-Skills Party (January 29, 5:30 p.m.) and the 2012 AHL Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Ceremony (January 30, 11 a.m.) at Caesars Atlantic City.