One of the top stories going into the 2024 AHL All-Star Skills Competition centered around one event. The question on everyone’s mind is if Ethen Frank could defend his Fastest Skater title. Frank won the title as the Fastest Man in Hockey a season ago with a lightning-fast time of 12.915 seconds. A cross-country flight wasn’t enough to slow him down as he won the event with a time of 13.032 seconds in San Jose.
Frank or The Flash?
The sophomore sensation from the Hershey Bears earned the selection to his second straight All-Star appearance. He has 35 points (21 goals, 14 assists) in 46 games played for the Bears this season. His ten power play goals not only eclipse his previous high but lead the entire AHL in that category. Frank needs 14 more points to match his regular season output from his rookie season. His goal count of 21 is fourth-best in the league and nine back of his 30 from a season ago. Frank gave a nod to his roller hockey roots in describing his inspiration.
“Yeah, oh yeah, speed kills,” Frank said after winning the event. “Skating at Big Dave’s Roller Rink, he’s sitting right there. Grew up playing roller hockey my whole life, wouldn’t be the skater or the player I am today without him.”
Frank’s speed skating this season trails his previous record by :0.117 of a second. Although the difference put him above the 13 second mark, he’s still the fastest man in hockey. His mark of 13.032 seconds outpaced the likes of Connor McDavid, the NHL superstar who posted a mark of 13.408 earlier this weekend. Not to mention Frank lifting the Calder Cup with the Bears between appearances in the All-Star festivities.
Whirlwind Weekend
It’s particularly impressive given what Frank and the other All-Stars endured to be here. Not only did Frank and the Bears play three games in four days but also traveled cross-country just to be in San Jose. Several groups of players did not arrive in time for the event due to inclement weather. The Bears were well-represented this season with Frank joining Dylan McIlrath and Clay Stevenson on the ice. Off the ice was head coach Todd Nelson in addition to head athletic trainer Sean Flizar and equipment manager Dillon Filepas.
Although Frank and the Eastern Conference did not win the Skills Competition, the score is rarely the focus. Meeting some of the top talent around the AHL outside of game situations and taking in a great atmosphere is the focus.
“It’s nice to meet guys on a personal level,” Frank said. “Not always playing against them and hating them, it’s nice to meet some new people.”
Game On
It sets the stage for what’s sure to be a fun second day of the AHL All-Star week: the game itself. Frank and his Atlantic Division rivals turned teammates are set to compete in a three-on-three tournament on Monday night. It’s sure to be a fun event that can be viewed for free on AHL TV (9:00 PM EST start time) to see if Frank and his teammates can take it all.
The Bears will be back in action on Friday to kick off a five-game road trip against the Providence Bruins. It’ll be the first time the Atlantic Division’s top two teams square off since December 23. The game figures to be a good measuring stick game in early February for both teams after a little time away from hockey. As time barrels on closer to the postseason, these games will be good tests with only one more matchup after this one.
