All-Star Game will feature Augusta duo

The news came smack dab in the middle of one of the Augusta Lynx's busiest stretches of the season.

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Forward Ken Magowan and broadcaster Tom Callahan would represent the Lynx in the ECHL All-Star Game tonight in Reading, Pa.

Both were excited and humbled by the honor, but didn't have time to dwell on their accomplishments. The Lynx played 11 games in the three weeks since the all-star teams were announced.

"There are so many games, it just hasn't even sunk in," Magowan said before the Lynx embarked on their extended road trip. "I'm sure I'll start thinking about it on that plane ride after our game in Texas."

The rookie forward and the second-year Lynx broadcaster flew Monday out of Texas, where the Lynx played two games last weekend.

When they arrived in Pennsylvania, members of the Reading Royals' booster club greeted them like celebrities. Callahan said they held dry erase boards donned with his and Magowan's names.

"I've never had anyone waiting for me ready to help with my bags," Callahan said.

The plane ride, the star treatment at the airport and the subsequent trip to the league's hospitality room all made the All-Star Game seem more of a reality for the Augusta duo.

"Now that it's here, I'm starting to get excited," Callahan said by phone Monday night from a Philadelphia 76ers' game he attended with a friend who works for the team. "I'll get really fired up once I get to the rink (Tuesday)."

Tuesday night featured the skill competition, which meant a relaxing night for Callahan, who will be one of three radio broadcasters for tonight's game, and a little bit of work for Magowan. But tonight is the main event.

Magowan will suit up as a wing for the American Conference, while Callahan will spend one period doing color commentary, one calling play by play and one as a roving reporter.

And he hopes it's in that order, because whoever draws first-period play-by-play duty will have to spend most of their time matching mostly unfamiliar numbers with mostly unfamiliar names.

Magowan, who as the AHL's Albany River Rats was assigned to the Lynx prior to the season, earned his trip to Reading by way of a nice scoring touch and a successful two-way game. He is one of only four players to skate in all 40 games for Augusta. He's tied with Todd Bennett for the team lead with 13 goals and leads the team with a plus-5 rating. His 19 assists are tied for eighth in ECHL among rookies and his 32 points are tied for 10th.

Callahan submitted a compact disc with highlights from the season to the ECHL office, which ultimately chose him, John Michael of the Johnstown Chiefs and Dan Weiss of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies.

Magowan and Callahan will fly from Pennsylvania to Pensacola, Fla., on Thursday to meet the team for a pair of games against the Ice Pilots.