Charlotte and Hershey went toe-to-toe Saturday night, and while a big second period put them in the driver’s seat, the home team couldn’t quite finish it off - ultimately falling 4-3 in overtime.
The American Hockey League announced today that defenseman Tobias Bjornfot and forward Jack Devine will represent the Checkers at the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic. This marks the first AHL All-Star selection for both players and the ninth time in franchise history the Checkers have had multiple players selected to the AHL All-Star Classic.
Bjornfot, 24, has recorded one goal and six assists, along with a plus-six rating, in 22 games this year with the Checkers. The Florida Panthers recalled the Upplands Vasby, Sweden native on January 4; Bjornfot has not played for Charlotte since December 30.
In 181 AHL appearances across six seasons with the Ontario Reign, Henderson Silver Knights, and Charlotte, Bjornfot has notched 56 points (15 goals, 41 assists). The Los Angeles Kings originally selected Bjornfot in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He has suited up in 134 NHL games with Los Angeles, Florida and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Devine, 22, has scored 11 goals and added 13 assists this season, tied for first among the Checkers roster in points. The Glencoe, IL, native ranks in the top ten in all three major offensive categories among AHL rookies. The Panthers drafted Devine in the seventh round (221st overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Devine made his NHL debut with Florida on November 20.
Before joining the Checkers at the end of the 2024-25 regular season, Devine won two NCAA National Championships at the University of Denver (2021-22, 2023-24) and led the NCAA in assists (44) and points (57) last year.
The 2026 AHL All-Star Classic, presented by BMO, will take place in Rockford, IL, and includes the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Tuesday, February 10, followed by the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, February 11, and the 2026 AHL All-Star Challenge that evening.
The Skills Competition pits the All-Stars from the two Eastern Conference divisions against those from the two Western Conference divisions in seven skills events. The All-Star Challenge is a round-robin, 3-on-3 tournament among the four divisions to determine the All-Star champions. For ticket information, fans can click here!
