Tyler Ennis was one of twelve rookies selected on Tuesday to participate in the NHL’s All-Star Weekend festivities at the end of the month.  The 21-year-old forward will be the sole representative of the Sabres in Raleigh. 

As a rookie, Ennis will not take part in the All-Star Game, but will have the opportunity to compete with the best hockey players in the world during the Honda NHL SuperSkills Competition on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the RBC Center.  

“It’s exciting. It’s definitely an honor to be named amongst those guys so I’m just going to have fun and am looking forward to it,” Ennis said.

Ennis is no stranger to All-Star events.  A year ago, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2010 AHL All-Star Classic after notching a goal and an assist as the Canadian squad defeated the PlanetUSA team. 

“That was fun last year.  For the most part guys just had fun with it and enjoyed it.  It was pretty offensive, pretty high-scoring and guys just had fun,” Ennis said of his most recent All-Star experience.

Tyler Ennis

Ennis would go on to win the AHL Rookie of the Year Award and earned a late season call-up to the Sabres.  After recording nine points (3 goals, 6 assists) in 10 regular season games with Buffalo, he made his NHL playoff debut and tied for the team scoring lead with four points in six games against the Bruins.

This fall, Ennis parlayed a strong training camp into a full-time role with the Sabres in just his second year of professional hockey.  He has appeared in each of the team’s first 42 games, recording 19 points (9-10-19) to rank sixth on the team in scoring and ninth among all NHL rookies halfway through the season.

In other All-Star news, forward Luke Adam, currently with the Sabres, and Portland Pirates defenseman Drew Schiestel were named to the AHL All-Star Classic roster on Tuesday.  Adam, selected 44th overall in 2008, has recorded 22 points (12-10-22) in 20 games with Portland this season and has added three goals and an assist in 16 games with the Sabres. 

Schiestel, meanwhile, has tallied 4-14-18 and a +10 rating in 37 games with the Pirates.  The 21-year-old blueliner was chosen 59th overall by the Sabres in 2007.