Florida Everblades forward Mathieu Melanson and goaltender Justin Peters were named first-time All-Stars when the American Conference team was announced for the 2008 Chase Cheverolet ECHL All-Star Game on Thursday.

The game will be played at Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calif. on Jan. 23.

Melanson, who began his professional career last season in Stockton, has impressed in 2007-08, leading the Everblades in scoring with 31 points (18 goals, 13 assists) in 23 games, which ranks second among all ECHL rookies and is tied for seventh in the league.

Melanson's 18 goals also leads all ECHL rookies. Recently the Shediac, New Brunswick native notched his first career hat-trick on Dec. 11 vs. Texas. The 22-year-old also strung together a 12-game point-scoring streak from Nov. 9 –Dec. 1, during which he tallied 21 points.

Peters, who is currently on recall with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League, has a record of 10-4-1 and ranks fourth in the league with a save percentage of .933 and fifth with a goals-against average of 2.17. The 21-year-old was named the ECHL's Goaltender of the Month in October, and was named the ECHL's Goaltender of the Week for the week of Nov. 26 - Dec. 1. During that stretch, the native of Blyth, Ontario strung together a career-high five-game winning streak.

The American Conference starters are Gwinnett goalie Craig Kowalski; defensemen Jamie Milam (Gwinnett) and Bryan Rodney (Elmira); and forwards John McNabb (Texas), Yannick Tifu (Dayton) and Aaron Slattengren (Augusta).

The National Conference team will be announced at 3 p.m. on Friday.