Rookie center Andy Miele was the lone member of the Portland Pirates selected to participate in the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic.

“For a first-year pro, he’s been great,” Pirates Coach Ray Edwards said. “He’s definitely very deserving and I think he’ll enjoy it.”

The Classic, which consists of a skills competition and game against teams representing the 30-team league’s Eastern and Western Conferences, will be held Jan. 29-30 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

Forty-eight players were selected.

“There are so many guys on this team equally as deserving,” said Miele, who capped his final season at Miami (Ohio) University by winning the Hobey Baker Award. “I intend to go there and represent the Pirates well, on and off the ice.”

In 26 games, Miele has nine goals and a team-high 18 assists to lead the Pirates with 27 points.

“He’s been a great player for us,” Edwards said. “He’s dynamic offensively.”

Miele is scoreless in seven games with the parent Phoenix Coyotes during two separate call-ups.

NOTES: Goalie Marc Cheverie, who stopped 20 of 21 shots after replacing Justin Pogge in the Pirates’ 5-4 overtime victory Monday against the Connecticut Whale, was reassigned to the ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators after goalie Curtis McElhinney’s return following a two-game stint with the Coyotes. … Former Pirates named to participate in the AHL All-Star Classic include forward Chris Bourque of the Hershey Bears, defenseman Clay Wilson of the Abbotsford Heat and goalie Mike Leighton of the Adirondack Phantoms. … Rookie Spencer Bennett, who broke his left wrist in a drill while the Pirates practiced in Glens Falls, N.Y., last Thursday, expects to begin skating in practice next week.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH