Bulls’ Ouellet skates into All-Star game

San Francisco Bulls center Dean Ouellet scored the very first goal in the very first regular season game the new ECHL team played at the Cow Palace on October 12.

He also notched the first hat trick in Bulls history on November 24 against the Stockton Thunder.

So it only seems fitting that the 25-year-old rookie be named to the first in Bulls history to be named to an ECHL All-Star team.

President and Head Coach Pat Curcio has previously said of Ouellet’s style of play:

“(Dean) plays the game the right way. He doesn’t cheat, he doesn’t take shortcuts. And he gets rewarded for his smart play.”

And what better way to reward a smart player than with All-Star honors, right?

The team announced Thursday via press release that the Edmunston, New Brunswick native will represent the Bulls in Loveland, Colorado for the 2013 ECHL All Star Week starting January 22.

The University of Moncton product is tied for first in the league for the most goals among first-year pros, and is tied for third in points among ECHL rookies. He currently leads the Bulls with 16 goals and 29 points.

This year’s ECHL All-Star Game pits the host Colorado Eagles against 21 players from teams around the ECHL. Every one of this year’s players is making their first ECHL All-Star Game appearance, including nine rookies.