2018 AHL All-Star Classic Marks A First For T.J. Brennan

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UTICA - It might be Lehigh Valley Phantoms defenseman T.J. Brennan's fifth consecutive American Hockey League (AHL) All-Star appearance, but the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic still brought on a first for him.

Until this year's event, he had never brought his roommate to the All-Star weekend.

With Phantoms' forward Danick Martel unable to participate in the All-Star fesitivities due to a broken jaw suffered earlier this month, Brennan's teammate and roommate Oskar Lindblom was selected to replace Martel as a member of the Atlantic Division All-Star squad.

"You know it's funny. I remember him telling me before the game in Wilkes-Barre he's all pumped [to go to the All-Stars]," Brennan said of Lindblom after last night's Skills Competition. "It's just a really good experience, a good chance for him to meet some people have a good time and show off his skills which I think he did tonight in the shootout."

The shootout move, which Lindblom told Inside AHL Hockey he saw on YouTube a few days prior, was something that caught his eye and he figured he would try it out.

"I've never done that move before, but I saw it on YouTube a couple days ago so why not try it today, and it worked," Lindblom said.

And when asked if he would ever try it in a regular season game?

"If I got a feeling for it maybe. I'm more of a shooter guy in the shootout, so we'll see."

Brennan had a different answer when asked about using a move like that in a real game.

"Coach would be a little more upset if that didn't go in. I think it's a little less pressure situation here."