The 2016 American Hockey League All-Star Challenge took on a new format this year.  Instead of the traditional 60-minute game, the league’s all-stars were divided into four teams, one representing each of the league’s divisions (Atlantic, North, Central, Pacific). The teams played a round-robin tournament featuring six games of nine minutes each; the first half of each game played at 4-on-4, and the second half at 3-on-3. The two teams with the best records at the end of the round-robin tournament faced off for the championship, a six-minute game played at 3-on-3. 

The Central Division took the inaugural crown, thanks largely to the efforts of Chicago Wolves forward, Pat Cannone, who contributed 3 goals and an assist, and who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.  The night before during the Skills Competition, Cannone won the accuracy shooting contest, going a perfect 4 for 4.

Cannone has been part of championship teams in the past, and hopes to not only build from his All-Star success by adding another Calder Cup ring to his resume, but a Stanley Cup championship as well.

Growing up in Bayport, New York, Cannone was not exposed to a hockey-crazed environment.  Although he eventually aspired to play professional hockey, he developed the skills to excel in minor hockey by participating annually in roller hockey.

He was a standout during his junior days, tallying over a point-per-game in his two seasons with the New England Jr. Falcons.  This success brought about the opportunity to play in the top junior league in the US, where he played for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders in 2006-07,  finishing second on the team in points (55 points in 59 games) in his only season with the team. His strong play earned him offers from a number of NCAA schools, with Cannone choosing the Miami University RedHawks where he would play the next four seasons.

“I chose Miami because of its first class hockey program and beautiful campus.  The coaches there [Head Coach Enrico Blasi] really made it clear that they were going to give me every opportunity to grow as a player and prepare me for the next level.”  

Developing as a player was of extreme importance to Cannone in his pursuit of one day playing professional hockey.  But he took his studies very seriously as well, majoring in Kinesiology.

He helped lead the RedHawks to a CCHA Championship in 2011 during his senior year.  His consistent play and strong showing during that season garnered the attention of numerous NHL scouts.

Cannone went on to sign his first professional contract with the Ottawa Senators as an undrafted forward in 2011, following his senior year.  Cannone remembers the special feeling of signing on the dotted line.

“Signing my first professional contract was an amazing feeling. Ottawa showed the most interest in me after completing my senior season, and I felt like it was the best place to begin my professional career.”  Cannone was then assigned to the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League to join them for the remainder of the campaign.

“Joining Binghamton after my senior season was a really cool experience.  I was able to play in the last couple regular season games and get a taste of what pro hockey was like.  Binghamton went on to win the Calder Cup that year and being there for that, and seeing first hand what it took to win a championship at the pro level was an experience that helped prepare me for the following season.”

During his time in Binghamton, Cannone was the Senators’ Player Representative for all matters related to the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA).  He shared his appreciation for the PHPA and all that they do for their players.  “Thanks to that experience as Player Rep, I know how lucky we are as players to have the PHPA supporting us.  They do a great job taking care of their players and their families.  I don’t think a lot of players around the league realize how fortunate we are to have the PHPA supporting us.”

Cannone went on to enjoy two seasons with Binghamton before being traded to the St. Louis Blues.  Since then, he has been a steady, all-around force for the Chicago Wolves, the Blues’ AHL affiliate.  His point production has gradually risen as he is in the midst of his third season with the team.

Cannone has remained humble throughout his professional hockey journey and once again credits a great coaching staff for his continued success.  “The Wolves’ staff has been great in developing me into an all around player and trying to prepare me for the next step.  The coaches have given me a lot of responsibility as a player and a leader.”  

Cannone is respected by his teammates and coaches so much so that he was named the 11^th captain in Chicago Wolves history ahead of the 2015-16 season.  “Being the captain this season is a tremendous honor and something I take a lot of pride in.  A lot of great captains have played here and I’m just trying to follow in those footsteps.”

His on-ice success this season led to him being named to this year’s AHL All-Star Classic in Syracuse, NY.  “Being named to the All-Star Classic was a huge honor.  There are so many good players in this league and to be among the best was a really cool experience and something I will never forget.”

Cannone’s first AHL All-Star Classic experience went way beyond what he could have ever envisioned.  He started things off by taking home the Accuracy Shooting crown during the All-Star Skills Competition.  He needed just four shots to break the targets in each corner of the net.

When asked about his success in the Accuracy Shooting event he said, “to be honest during the Skills Competition I was just trying to go out and not do anything to embarrass myself.  I was fortunate enough to hit all my targets in the accuracy shooting and have a good showing.”

Cannone then followed up his success at the Skills Competition with an MVP performance in the All-Star Classic the following day.  He led his Central Division team to victory in the inaugural event, scoring 3 goals in the championship game.

Overall, Cannone enjoyed the weekend and relished the opportunity to meet other top players from around the league.  “Meeting and hanging out with the other guys from around the league was probably the most enjoyable part of the whole All-Star experience.  A lot of nights during the season you are battling against most of those guys, so to be able to meet them on a personal level and have fun with them was really cool.”

The 2015-16 season has been Cannone’s best AHL campaign as far as offensive production with 44 points in 56 games to date.  When asked about his preparation for this season he concluded by saying, “going into every season I set personal goals for myself.  This season I wanted to focus on being more of a scoring threat.  I worked hard in the summer to prepare myself and make sure I started out strong.”

“Of course everyone’s goal is to play in the NHL and that’s something I’m striving towards and will work hard to do.”  At age 29, Cannone is still in the prime of his career and this year’s AHL “star among stars” is looking to earn another championship at the highest level in years to come.