Amerks Release Classen, Fitzpatrick Named All-Star Captain

Well, the Greg Classen experiment is one that has now ended as today, Classen has been released from his PTO after turning down a contract offer to instead play in Germany. LetsGoAmerks has the full press release:

(Rochester, NY)… Rochester Americans General Manager Jody Gage announced today that the Amerks have released forward Greg Classen from his 25-game professional tryout (PTO) and has signed with the Iserlohn Roosters of the DEL.

"It's unfortunate to lose a player like Greg, but it's also extremely difficult to hold a player back from making a career decision," said Gage. "We did offer him a standard player contract, but what it came down to was Greg making a career decision that he believed to be within the best interests of his future as a player."

Classen had not yet played with the team.

The other news here is that defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick has been named as one of the two captains for the AHL All-Star game. Full release is here.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.... American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced today that Bryan Helmer of the Hershey Bears and Rory Fitzpatrick of the Rochester Americans will serve as playing captains for the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications, to be held January 25-26 at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.

Captains for the American Hockey League All-Star teams are selected by the league president in recognition of their outstanding service and leadership to the AHL.