Bortuzzo, Tangradi added to Eastern Conference All-Star roster

The American Hockey League today announced four additions to the team rosters for the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Capital BlueCross, to take place Sunday and Monday, Jan. 30 and 31, in Hershey, Pa.

Forward Eric Tangradi and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, both of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, have been added to the Eastern Conference All-Star roster, while Lake Erie Monsters forward Mark Olver and Texas Stars forward Francis Wathier have been added to the Western Conference All-Star squad.

In addition, the AHL announced that Wilkes-Barre’s Dustin Jeffrey (personal), Portland’s Drew Schiestel (injury), Lake Erie’s Ryan Stoa (NHL recall) and Texas’s Travis Morin (NHL recall) will miss the event.

Tangradi, a second-round draft pick by Anaheim in 2007, is tied for the Wilkes-Barre team lead with 17 goals and has totaled 29 points in 40 games for the Penguins in 2010-11. He has also recorded a goal and an assist in nine NHL games with Pittsburgh.

Bortuzzo, a third-round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2007, has two goals and 16 assists in 45 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season and is tied for third among AHL defensemen with a plus-17 rating.

*Well deserved for both players, especially Bortuzzo whose emerged as a lock down defenseman.