The Rays will have tough guy Adam Knight and Ukrainian forward Konstantin Kalmikov representing the Overseas All Stars, while Lee Esders, Lee Mitchell and late call up James Hutchinson will represent the British All Stars.
Enforcer Knight, who can play both defence and forward, was voted by fans into the Overseas All Star lineup despite notching just four goals and nine assists in 33 games this season, however, the Canadian has become a fan favourite at the Hull Arena this season for his activities with his fists. Perhaps controversially, he will line up tonight alongside fellow tough guy Sean McMorrow, with whom he has several notable bouts this year.
Kalmikov, who last season netted 25 goals in 48 games and has 22 goals in just 39 games so far this term, has once again has become a pivotal part of the Stingrays success and will wear an alternate captain 'A' during the All Star game.Esders, who has recently come into form to take his tally to six goals and three assists in 11 games following a career year in which he accumulated 11 goals and 10 assists, was surprisingly selected to the British All Star side by the fans after a slow start to the year.
He is joined by James Hutchinson after the withdrawal of Cardiff's Jason Stone due to injury and, although he has failed to hit the heights of his numbers in a championship winning season in the EPL last year, he has become a reliable and solid defenceman on the Rays blueline.
After suffering from a knee injury at the beginning of the season, 22 year old Mitchell, who will be appearing in his second EIHL All Star game, has begun to come good for Sylvain Cloutier's side, netting an impressive eight goals and nine assists in 22 games after a career year under Rick Strachan last term in which he scored nine goals and 25 assists for 34 points in 46 games.
Last season saw the Elite League split into North and South for the purpose of the All Star game, with Mitchell, Jeff Glowa, Steve Slonina, Slava Koulikov and Curtis Cruikshank of Stingrays ending up on the victorious Southern All Star side by a score of 12-10, with Glowa grabbing himself a goal.
