Justin Hryckowian, Lian Bichsel Join Curtis McKenzie as AHL All-Stars

(Credit: Ross Bonander/Texas Stars)

For the second year in a row, three Texas Stars will represent their team at the AHL's All-Star festivities in February. Curtis McKenzie, already named as captain, will be joined by rookie forward Justin Hryckowian and defenseman Lian Bichsel in Palm Desert on February 2 and 3.

It is the first All-Star selection for Bichsel and Hryckowian and would be the first game for all three Stars. McKenzie was named to the 2018 squad but was injured in the final weekend before the game and did not attend.

Last year, Texas sent Mavrik Bourque, Logan Stankoven and Matěj Blümel along with head coach Neil Graham to the mid-season exhibition. 

Former Texas Stars Matt Murray also made the squad, tending the net for the Central.

Here's the trimmed release: 

The American Hockey League announced the full 2025 AHL All-Star Rosters presented by FloHockey today, which includes Texas Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel, forward Justin Hryckowian and playing captain Curtis McKenzie representing the Central Division. 

Bichsel, 20, has recorded nine points (3-6=9) in 23 games for Texas this season and played his first eight NHL games for Dallas, where he scored twice. The rookie defenseman scored a goal in his NHL debut Dec. 12 against Nashville. He recorded his first two-goal game as a pro Nov. 10 in Texas’ 5-2 win vs. Manitoba. The Olten, Switzerland native was drafted by Dallas in the first round (18th overall) of the 2022 NHL draft.

Hryckowian, 23, was named the AHL’s Rookie of the Month for December after posting ten points (7-3=10) in ten games and earning a two-game stint in the NHL with Dallas. Hryckowian made his NHL debut Dec. 29 in a 5-1 win at Chicago. The rookie center currently leads all AHL first-years with 29 points (12-17=29) in 29 games, shares the lead with a +13 rating, and ranks second with 12 goals and 17 assists.

McKenzie, 33, was announced the playing captain for the Western Conference on Jan. 2. The 12th-year pro has spent nine seasons in the Stars organization and surpassed 700 professional games last November. Originally drafted by Dallas in the sixth round in 2009, McKenzie has played 99 NHL games for the Stars and 456 games with Texas. The veteran forward ranks second in team history with 456 games played, 358 points, 146 goals and 212 assists.