SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The American Hockey League announced today the 2023-24 AHL First and Second All-Star Teams, as voted by AHL coaches, players, and media in each of the league’s 32 member cities.

Thunderbirds forward Adam Gaudette garnered recognition on the AHL First All-Star Team alongside the following players: 

2023-24 AHL First All-Star Team

• Goaltender ― Hunter Shepard, Hershey Bears (33 GP, 27-3-3, 1.75 GAA, .929 SV%, 5 SO)
• Defenseman ― Kyle Capobianco, Manitoba Moose (68 GP, 12-40-52, +29, 6 PPG, 1 SHG)
• Defenseman ― Brad Hunt, Colorado Eagles (70 GP, 16-33-49, +3, 5 PPG)
• Forward ― Mavrik Bourque, Texas Stars (69 GP, 26-49-75, 4 PPG, 1 SHG, 2 GWG)
• Forward ― Adam Gaudette, Springfield Thunderbirds (65 GP, 44-25-69, +10, 15 PPG, 7 GWG)
• Forward ― Logan Stankoven, Texas Stars (47 GP, 24-33-57, +9, 6 PPG, 3 GWG)

A sixth-year pro, Gaudette is enjoying a career year with the Thunderbirds, leading the AHL with 44 goals – tied for fourth-most ever by a Springfield skater in 80 seasons of AHL hockey in the city – and ranking third with 69 points in 65 contests. Gaudette also sits second with 15 power-play goals and 225 shots on goal, and his six-game goal-scoring streak in October is still tied for the longest in the league in 2023-24. The native of Braintree, Mass., has played 220 games in the NHL over his career, including two this season with the St. Louis Blues.

Gaudette's selection marks the first time a Thunderbird has ever been selected to the AHL First All-Star Team and just the second time a Thunderbirds player has earned All-Star status; goaltender Joel Hofer was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team after the 2022-23 season.

Should Gaudette finish the season atop the goal-scoring leaderboard, he would become the first Springfield league leader in the category since the 1990-91 season, as well as the first Springfield AHL player to take home the Willie Marshall Award as the league's leading goal-scorer. This award has been distributed since the 2003-2004 season.

Gaudette and the Thunderbirds look to keep their playoff hopes alive on Friday night when they visit the Providence Bruins at 7:05 p.m. at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. 

Fans can reserve seats for Thunderbirds’ hockey action in the 2024-25 season with a ticket membership by calling (413)-739-GOAL (4625) or visiting www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.