Checkers' Schepke named ECHL all-star

Charlotte Checkers rookie winger Matt Schepke was picked for the ECHL All-Star Game in Ontario, Calif. on Jan. 20.

Schepke, who played at Michigan State, has 10 goals and seven assists on 28 games. His 17 points leads Charlotte rookies, and Schepke is third on the team with a +10 rating.

Schepke is one of 11 rookies on the American Conference all-star squad, and 19 of the 21 players will be making their first ECHL all-star appearance.

“Matt brings great energy and physical play to our team,” Checkers coach Derek Wilkinson said. “Because of that he has managed to put up some goals and has obviously done enough to be voted in by the media and coaches.”

On Nov. 20, Schepke, a native of Warren, Mich. recorded a hat trick, including the winner in a 7-4 victory against Johnstown. He had nine goals and four assists in an 11-game span in November.

The starting lineups are determined in voting by American Conference coaches, team captains, media directors, broadcasters and media. Coaches submitted the top prospects from within their conference to determine the final roster, with each of the 12 teams having a representative.

The American Conference starters will be goalie Todd Ford (South Carolina), defensemen J.C. Sawyer (Toledo) and Zach Tarkir (South Carolina), and forwards Justin Donati (Elmira), Ben Gordon (Reading) and Jacob Micflikier (Florida).