As we inch closer to the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic, slated for Feb. 2-3 at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., FloHockey is breaking down the invite list for each divisional team. Up next, it’s the Central Division roster.

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Among the highlights of the exciting Central lineup, with a collection of young players that are among the most important prospects in their NHL parent club's organization. There have been a few changes to the list with so many players called up to the NHL, but this is still a team to pay close attention to.

Let’s take a look at the full list.

Central Division Forwards

Brendan Gaunce, Iowa Wild (MIN)

Added to the game as a replacement for teammate Joakim Kemell, Gaunce is a veteran of 182 NHL games. This season has been among his most productive as a pro. Gaunce has 23 points in 29 games and even saw five NHL games with Minnesota earlier this year. The 30-year-old forward is in his 10th AHL season and has appeared in 372 games in the league.

Cole Guttman, Rockford IceHogs (CHI)

Added as a replacement for teammate Frank Nazar, who is currently up in the NHL, Guttman has been among Rockford's most consistent offensive performers this year. Averaging near a point per game, the 25-year-old is in the midst of his best professional season to date. Guttman has thrived in the AHL as he continues closing in on making the permanent step to the NHL. Over the previous two seasons, he has appeared in 41 NHL games with Chicago.

Vinnie Hinostroza, Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)

Hinostroza was invited but is unable to participate.

A veteran of 380 NHL games in his pro career, Hinostroza has spent most of the last two seasons in the AHL. He has been among the league’s top scorers this season, his first with Milwaukee. His 1.27 points per game is tops among players in the league with at least 25 games played this season. The 30-year-old winger has made a massive impact with his new club.

Justin Hryckowian, Texas Stars (DAL)

Signed by Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of Northeastern, Hryckowian has been an offensive spark plug for Texas. He’s been a point-per-game player and has gotten some games with the big Stars in the NHL. The 23-year-old has made a seamless transition to pro hockey and is looking like quite the find.

Joakim Kemell, Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)

He's only 20 years old, but is already in his third AHL season with Milwaukee. The Finnish forward was selected 17th overall in 2022 and has been finding his scoring touch since transitioning to North America. The winger has 23 points in 37 games, but has made the most noise in his AHL career during the Calder Cup Playoffs. Over two deep runs with Milwaukee, Kemell had 21 points in 29 games.

Curtis McKenzie, Texas Stars (DAL)

With more than 600 AHL games under his belt, many of them with Texas, McKenzie is the kind of veteran organizations are thrilled to have in their system. He’s worn a letter on his jersey for the last eight seasons and has been the captain in Texas for the last four seasons. 

Frank Nazar, Rockford IceHogs (CHI) 

Nazar was invited but is unable to participate.

Currently up with the Blackhawks, Nazar is in his first full professional season after being drafted 13th overall in 2022. When he’s been in Rockford, he has been an offensive driver with 24 points in 21 games. The 21-year-old who starred at Michigan before turning pro is one of the more critical prospects in Chicago’s system presently. 

🚨 My oh my, Frank Nazar III starts it and Frank Nazar III ends it! 😵‍💫#AHL #RFDvsGR #GoHogs #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/qK7sFRXnR6

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) November 1, 2024

Liam Öhgren, Iowa Wild (MIN)

Öhgren was invited but is unable to participate

There has been a little bit of back-and-forth this year between Iowa and Minnesota for Öhgren who was picked 19th overall by the Wild in 2022. He has been a standout offensive performer for Iowa as he continues to adjust and master the pro game in North America after arriving from Sweden late last season. He's currently back with Minnesota.

Ryan Suzuki, Chicago Wolves (CAR)

Picked 28th overall in 2019, Suzuki has settled into the AHL the last five seasons. He’s currently on pace for his best season as a pro, however, with assists piling up consistently. The 23-year-old has been leading the Chicago Wolves in points for most of this season.

Austin Watson, Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)

With 517 NHL games under his belt, Austin Watson came to the Detroit organization after a few different stops. He hasn’t been an AHL regular since back in 2014-15, but Watson has played a valuable role in Grand Rapids as a veteran leader who can also put up the points and protect some of his young teammates. He’s on pace for his most productive season at any level since his standout junior days in the OHL.

Central Division Defensemen

Lian Bichsel, Texas Stars (DAL)

Bichsel was invited but is unable to participate

A big, physical defenseman with a mean streak at times, Bichsel is in his first full-time season as a pro in North America after sampling the AHL a little last year before returning to the Swedish Hockey League. Bichsel has settled in nicely this year, playing solid minutes while helping Texas become one of the top teams in the AHL. The 18th overall pick in 2022 has a bright future as a potential top-four defenseman.

Kevin Korchinski, Rockford IceHogs (CHI)

Added to the roster as a replacement for Lian Bichsel, Korchinski is one of the most high-profile prospects competing in the AHL All-Star Classic. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Korchinski has 17 points through 31 games with Rockford. The 20-year-old rearguard spent all of last season with the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL, but is making the most of a re-set in the AHL.

Scott Morrow, Chicago Wolves (CAR)

A 6-foot-2, right-shot defenseman with higher-end puck skills, Morrow has enjoyed a fairly productive rookie season in the AHL. He’s on pace to eclipse 40 points from the back end after starring over the previous three seasons at UMass. Picked 40th overall in 2021, Morrow’s game is pointing in the right direction as he adjusts to pro hockey.

THE @Chicago_Wolves KIDS ARE ALRIGHT!
Scott Morrow's first pro goal wins the game in overtime!!@TheAHL | #AHL | #CHIvsHER@Canes | #RaiseUp pic.twitter.com/qIBfcBtHUP

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) October 20, 2024

Elias Salomonsson, Manitoba Moose (WPG)

After honing his game in his native Sweden over the last several seasons, Salomonsson has made an impressive jump to North America this year. The 6-foot-2 rearguard has more points in the AHL this season than he did in any of his previous chances in the SHL with Skellefteå, making him one of the real bright spots on Manitoba’s roster this season.

Central Division Goalies

Sebastian Cossa, Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)

The Red Wings have been deliberate in their development plan with the 6-foot-6 Cossa, who has shown tremendous upside throughout his young career. Now 22, he’s taken a big step while getting the bulk of the starts in Grand Rapids. He’s also gotten one start with Detroit this season, but has shown growth in each of his first three pro seasons.

SEBASTIAN COSSA HAS SECURED HIS FIRST NHL WIN! 🥹From the @ECHL with the @ToledoWalleye, to @TheAHL with @griffinshockey, and now in the @NHL with the @DetroitRedWings... watching Cossa win is always a good time!#ECHL #AHL #NHL #OurFishOurFight #GoGRG #LGRW pic.twitter.com/bWHFRXqrGM

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) December 10, 2024

Matt Murray, Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)

After Milwaukee lost Yaroslav Askarov in the offseason, they’ve found a more than adequate replacement in Murray, who has looked excellent so far this season. Previously part of the Dallas organization, the 26-year-old has repeatedly proven reliable at the AHL level, but looks to be having his best season to date.

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