All-Star action draws fans; AHL Classic in Worcester.

Byline: Kim Ring

WORCESTER - Christmas morning at his family's home just outside Toronto, 12-year-old James Kerr received the same gift he has gotten for the last three years: a trip to the American Hockey League's All-Star Classic.

It's a gift he's never wanted to return, and this year, it meant a train ride from Buffalo to Worcester to watch Jaime Sifers from the Toronto Marlies join more than 40 other AHL players for the Skills Competition yesterday and the game tonight, which pits the Canadian All-Stars against PlanetUSA All-Stars.

James and his dad, Patrick Kerr, were among dozens of father-son duos who traveled from afar to the events, staying in local hotels, donning jerseys emblazoned with their favorite player's name and filling the stands at the DCU Center.

The Kerrs plan to keep up the tradition, and Mr. Kerr is hoping the host city next year isn't Houston or San Antonio.

"There won't be many presents under the tree if that happens," he said.

Another father and son duo also attended, but only one sat in the stands. The other took to the ice.

Former Boston Bruins great Ray Bourque said he no longer gets the urge to don his skates, but enjoys watching his son, Chris, a forward with the Hershey Bears and a member of the PlanetUSA team. All-star events, he said, are important to the game and to the cities where they're hosted.

"To get an event like this does a lot for Worcester and the area," the Stanley Cup champion said. "I had my share of All-Star games. Now, whenever we get the chance, we come out to see Chris."

Fans have a chance to interact with the players during autograph sessions and other events, which Mr. Bourque said were important during his career, especially when he was greeted by Bruins fans.

"It is a good opportunity for the fans," Mr. Bourque said. "It's important to give something back."

The drive from Lancaster, Pa., wasn't bad for Ronald W. Greiner and his daughter, Margaret M. Greiner, 14, who set out after watching their beloved Philadelphia Phantoms win a game Saturday night. They drive three hours to get to the Phantoms games, so the seven-hour trek to Worcester didn't seem all that bad.

The Greiners are serious AHL fans, and like so many hockey enthusiasts, they've got a tale to tell about meeting an AHL player.

In December, Mr. Greiner, bothered by the reaction of Drew Fata of the Binghamton Senators during a fight, called the 220-pound defenseman "Turtle, turtle" as he left the ice. Mr. Fata heard the remark and, according to Mr. Greiner, threw a punch. Others reported the incident as more of a push, but either way it ended with the Greiners in a luxury box for the rest of the game and Mr. Fata with a one-game suspension.

The lack of fighting at the All-Star game is part of the reason Marc J. Bastarche of Millbury brought his nephew, Bret D. Deguire, to the events. The 10-year-old is a forward with the Woonsocket North Stars Squirt B team, which is in second place in its league.

Watching the warm-ups yesterday, Mr. Bastarche said he was pleased to see the pros doing the same drills he uses at the squirt level. The first-year coach was hoping to get pointers on how to train players and, he said, he was looking forward to watching the best of the AHL play in the game tonight.

Many of the fans came from close by, including Sharks season ticket holders Brendan T. Peltier, 16, and his stepbrother, Brandon P. Souto, 15, who were drawing attention because of the masks they wore.

The two are students at the Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School and are known for the masks with their home team's colors.

"People think we're weird," Brendan Peltier said. "But we're just having fun."

At a souvenir booth, anything with the All-Star logo was selling, and those handling the sales said the bad economy didn't seem to bother hockey fans, who stocked up on T-shirts, pucks and patches.

"You can't tell it's bad tonight," Mary Arpin said. "It's been slower this year, but you can't tell tonight."

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) Worcester Shark Derek Joslin skates around a pylon yesterday during the puck control relay. (2) Fins, the Worcester Shark mascot, hangs around with some fans. (3) Top photo, Sean Babineau of Natick salutes during the National Anthem, joined by Screech, the mascot from the Springfield Falcons. (4) AHL Hockey fans Margaret Greiner and her father, Ronald Greiner, spot some of their favorite players.

PHOTOG: T&G Staff Photos/CHRISTINE PETERSON