ALL-STAR CLASSIC
	The ninth edition of the revived All Star Classic happens on Feb. 2 and 3 in Portland. The Skills Competition is at 8 p.m. on Feb. 2 and the game itself at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3. Both events will be televised regionally throughout the USA and on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada.
	WHO'S HOT
	The Ferraro twins -- Chris and Peter, who are also PlanetUSA All-Star co-captains -- are a combined 18-36-54 and plus-28 in a 16-game span for Portland.
	MILESTONES
	Utah's ancient and honorable defenseman Greg Hawgood hit the 1,000 game mark in the North American pro ranks. Hawgood, who has skated in the NHL, AHL and IHL, went 10 years between AHL season, playing for the Cape Breton Oilers in 1991-92 before joining the Grizzlies last season.
	WHO'S OUT
	Rookie of the year candidate John Pohl of the Worcester IceCats (via the Minnesota Golden Gophers), suffered a knee injury on Jan. 25 and will miss the All-Star Classic. The good news for Pohl is that he won't require surgery.
	CHANGING COLORS
	Hartford defensive fixture Mike Mottau was traded to the Flames organization by the Rangers, then assigned to Saint John. He joined rookie Jordan Leopold to give the baby Flames two Hobey Baker Award winners on the blueline.

What were the Dallas Stars thinking when they drafted Jason Bacashihua in the first round of the 2001 draft, then gave him a pile of, er, cash to turn pro a year later?

The goalie wing of the Hockey Hall of Fame is filled with names like Plante, Bower, Hall, Dryden and Smith. The only thing approaching a tongue-twister is Giacomin. Bacashihua? Five syllables? He's going to have to be really, really good.

While worrying about the Hall of Fame is getting ahead of things, Bacashihua is having himself a pretty nice year as a rookie for the Utah Grizzlies.

"He has played very well for us this year," said Grizzlies coach Don Hay. "His competitiveness, and his positional play are his biggest assets. They help make up for his size."

Bacashihua is 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. At 20-years-old, he's one of the youngest goaltenders in the American Hockey League. Bacashihua grew up in suburban Detroit. His ethnic background is a mix of Mexican, French-Canadian and Native American. His favorite goalie growing up was Patrick Roy, and Bacashihua once pictured himself playing goal for either Michigan or Michigan State.

"It was a dream," he said, "playing for Michigan, either that or State. I grew up watching their games, following them, but then I opted for the draft. It wasn't just the money. The money was good, but it wasn't all about the money. You dream of playing the game in front of thousands of people, and against the best players in the world."

Bacashihua was drafted while playing for the Chicago Freeze of the North American Hockey League, a fairly unusual originating point for a draftee, especially a first-rounder. The United States Hockey League is generally considered to be more fertile ground for future NHLers, but Bacashihua does not necessarily agree.

"I think the NAHL and USHL are pretty comparable," he said. "The NAHL may be more physical. The USHL has more skilled players, perhaps."

Bacashihua has yet to play against Roy, his hero, although they have played in different parts of the same preseason game. Roy has a Hall of Fame name, and after starting out with Sherbrooke of the AHL, built himself a Hall of Fame resume. Bacashihua is only about 1,000 NHL games, and four syllables, behind his idol.

Bill Ballou of the Worcester Telegram-Gazette is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.