Bring Back the All-Star Game!

• Nothing against the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge, but am I the only one who would like to see the WHL All-Star game resurrected? I'd love to see the best that the league has to offer hook up in a East vs. West showdown. The ADT Challenge features the top players vying for a spot on the Canadian World Junior team, but wouldn't it be neat to see the veterans of this league face-off against the rising stars? I'd love to see 16 year-old Brandon Wheat Kings forward Brayden Schenn in an all-star game against fellow 16 year-old Jared Cowan of the Spokane Chiefs. Or how about Tri City Americans rookie Johnny Lazo facing 20 year-old's like Kootenay's Steve DaSilva. The WHL has so many interesting players in various age groups, it would be nice to see them showcased with the re-birth of the league's all-star game.
  
• It was nice to see Luke Schenn being named the WHL player of the game despite the WHL's 5-1 loss to the Russians last night in Cranbrook. Schenn had the only goal for Canada in the lopsided win which had a nasty finish with a few fights breaking out. Schenn's effort will surely garner him a invite to Team Canada's main camp next month in Calgary. For the moment Schenn will return to Kelowna in time for the Rockets home game with the Kamloops Blazers. Schenn won't play in tonight's rematch with the Russians in Medicine Hat.
• Collin Bowman may be a quick healer. Rockets head coach Ryan Huska says the rookie defenseman could play this weekend against Kamloops, Portland and the Chilliwack Bruins. With the Rockets playing three games in three night's, the rookie d-man may be pressed into action. Bowman sat out Saturday's loss to Prince George with a broken nose suffered one night earlier against the Kootenay Ice.
• After sharing the goaltending duties last weekend, look for Kristofer Westblom and Torrie Jung between the pipes at some time this weekend. If I was a betting man, I'd expect to see Westblom Friday against the Blazers considering he has started all three games against Kamloops this season. Jung will likely get the start Saturday against the Hawks after recording the 4-1 win against them earlier this month in Portland.