Fritz, Aho Selected To 2018 AHL All-Star Classic

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers, proud AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, announced Thursday forward Tanner Fritz and defenseman Sebastian Aho have been selected to the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Turning Stone Resort Casino in Utica, N.Y. on Jan. 28-29, 2018.
Fritz and Aho were extremely productive during the first half of the season and both players have been recalled by the Islanders since last Thursday, making their NHL debuts in consecutive games.

Fritz, 26, recorded a team-best 35 points (10 goals, 25 assists) in 29 games during his third season in the AHL. That success earned Fritz his first NHL recall on Monday and the Grand Prairie, Alberta native made his debut with the Islanders on Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins. Fritz continues to lead Bridgeport in points, assists and multi-point games (11), and is top five in the AHL in both points and assists.

FRITZ ROAD TO THE NHL - 7 FACTS ABOUT FRITZ

The Islanders signed Fritz to a two-way (NHL/AHL) deal on March 29, 2017. Last season, Fritz scored 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 63 games and has collected 89 points (31 goals, 58 assists) in 111 career AHL games.
Prior to turning pro, Fritz played four seasons at Ohio State University (Big Ten), serving as team captain during his senior season in 2014-15. The 5'11, 192-pound forward notched 110 points (36 goals, 74 assists) in 142 collegiate games and won back-to-back Big Ten Sportsmanship Awards in 2014 and 2015 while playing for the Buckeyes.
Aho, 21, registered 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) and four power-play goals in 29 games with the Sound Tigers this season and has been one of the top defensemen in the AHL. He was recalled by the Islanders last Thursday and made his NHL debut against the Colorado Avalanche on New Year's Eve. Despite his call-up, Aho still ranks second among all AHL blue-liners in goals, leads defensemen in game-winners, and is tied for ninth in points. Aho is also tied for 17th among League rookies in scoring and ranks third on the Sound Tigers in points.

AHO'S ARRIVAL - 7 FACTS ABOUT AHO

A native of Umeå, Sweden, Aho agreed to a three-year entry-level deal with the Islanders on July 5, 2017 after he was selected by the club in the fifth round (#139 overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. He spent parts of the last four seasons with Skellefteå AIK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and posted career highs in goals (10), assists (20), points (30) and games played (50) with the team last season. He added two assists in seven playoff games, and helped Skellefteå capture 2017 SHL silver medal honors.
In 152 career SHL games, Aho registered 15 goals, 45 assists and 60 points during the regular season and also skated in 49 career playoff games, helping Skellefteå win the SHL championship in 2013-14.
The 5'10, 170-pound defenseman also skated with Team Sweden in the World Junior Championships from 2012-15.