Colton Sissons has had a very busy few days after a last minute call-up to Nashville for Saturday’s game against Anaheim. Unlike the rest of his Admirals teammates he doesn’t get to enjoy the relaxation of a week off, either.
Nashville was forced into an emergency recall due to a Matt Cullen injury. Sissons was the player chosen, and due to the injury coming so late there was quite the time crunch.
“I was supposed to fly out of Milwaukee at 11 yesterday, and that flight got delayed just over an hour,” Sissons began. “So I got bumped back to another flight, which was then delayed over two hours. I actually got to the rink at Nashville at probably 6:26, so I was a little bit late for pre-game warmups.”
Sissons’ call-up game was sandwiched between two games in Milwaukee, as he made it back in time to play in yesterday’s matinee loss to Chicago.
The travel isn’t over for Sissons, who left for St. John’s last night to be a part of this year’s AHL All-Star game. Unlike usual All-Star games, there is only one team of AHLers. They’ll face Färjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League (formerly the Swedish Elite League), the top level of hockey in that country. Färjestad BK is currently 8th out of 12 teams in the SHL. It will be the first time a Swedish Hockey League team has played in North America.
An unusual set-up brings added competition, as the players hope to show the talent that the AHL possesses.
“It’s not just a token all-star game, its going to be competitive and we’re going to want to win,” said Sissons.
Sissons’ selection follows a very strong rookie campaign in Milwaukee. His 29 points put him second on the team behind only Miikka Salomaki. He’s been called up to Nashville for four games, tallying his very first NHL point.
“I felt really strong up there,” Sissons said about his play in Nashville. “I’ve been happy with my face-offs especially in my past few days… We’ve played some really tough teams and obviously they’re in need of points trying to get to the playoffs.”
Joining Sissons for a call-up of his own was Simon Moser, who enjoyed his first stint of NHL duty. Moser got his first point in the Anaheim game, the primary assist on Viktor Stalberg’s first period goal.
“He was fired up,” Sissons chuckled. “It was a big goal for us. He made a really nice tip in front and Stalberg banged it in. I was really happy for him.”
The AHL All-Star game is a two-day event, starting with the skills competition tomorrow night. The game will be played Wednesday night, before Färjestad BK heads to Toronto to take on the Marlies The Admirals are off until Friday when they host the Iowa Wild.
