Charlotte Checkers' Ben Steeves replaces Tobias Bjornfot at 2026 AHL All-Star Classic

Ben Steeves will represent the Charlotte Checkers at the 2026 AHL All‑Star Classic, stepping into the Atlantic Division roster in place of defenseman Tobias Bjornfot. The AHL announced the roster change on Feb. 3, 2026, with the event scheduled for Feb. 10-11 in Rockford, Ill.; the Skills Competition is set for Feb. 10 at 8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT and the 3-on-3 All‑Star Challenge follows Feb. 11 at the same time.

Steeves, 23, earned his first AHL All‑Star selection after 42 games this season produced 29 points on 16 goals and 13 assists. The goals total ties him for the team lead with Wilmer Skoog, and Steeves paces Charlotte with six power‑play goals and three game‑winning goals. He has fired 105 shots on goal, second on the Checkers to Nolan Foote, and led the team with 58 penalty minutes. Those numbers underline a two‑way scoring profile and special teams impact that made him a logical replacement on a deep Atlantic Division slate.

Charlotte’s recent form provides additional context for the selection. In a road victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack that extended the Checkers’ point streak to eight games (7-0-1 during that stretch), Riese Gaber posted a career‑high four points, Brett Chorske scored twice, and Ben Steeves contributed a goal in Charlotte’s 7-1 win. Cooper Black earned his 17th victory with 27 saves on 28 shots as the Checkers completed a 3-0 road trip through Lehigh Valley, Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton and Hartford.

Steeves is one of five players added to All‑Star rosters this week. Forwards Brendan Brisson (Hartford Wolf Pack), Brian Halonen (Utica Comets) and Tanner Laczynski (Henderson Silver Knights) and defenseman Christian Kyrou (Lehigh Valley Phantoms) join Steeves as first‑time All‑Star selections. They replace forwards Denver Barkey and Gabe Perreault, defensemen Tobias Bjornfot and Seamus Casey, and Henderson goaltender Carl Lindbom; the Pacific Division’s second goaltender slot remained to be announced after Lindbom’s removal.

Atlantic Division All‑Stars: F Brendan Brisson, Hartford Wolf Pack (1st appearance); F Patrick Brown (capt.), Providence Bruins (1st); F Tristan Broz, Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins (1st); D Frederic Brunet, Providence Bruins (1st); F Jack Devine, Charlotte Checkers (1st); G Michael DiPietro, Providence Bruins (2nd); D Christian Kyrou, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (1st); F Matt Luff, Springfield Thunderbirds (1st); D Cole McWard, Bridgeport Islanders (1st); G Sergei Murashov, Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins (1st); F Ilya Protas, Hershey Bears (1st); F Ben Steeves, Charlotte Checkers (1st); Coach Ryan Mougenel, Providence Bruins (1st).

The All‑Star Classic remains a proven showcase for NHL advancement: the AHL notes that since 1995 more than 94 percent of All‑Star Classic participants have gone on to play in the NHL, a statistic that frames Steeves’ selection as both recognition and opportunity. A minor conflict in the available materials should be noted: while the AHL and team releases list Rockford IceHogs as the 2026 host, one event listing contained a conflicting reference to the Cleveland Monsters hosting next year. Official event promotion lists the Rockford host and provides ticket information via the IceHogs’ All‑Star Classic page.

For fans, Steeves’ selection highlights Charlotte’s offensive depth and gives a young scorer a national stage Feb. 10-11. The Skills Competition and All‑Star Challenge offer a concentrated scouting window for NHL teams tracking finishers like Ben Steeves, and for Charlotte the moment underscores the organization’s role in developing NHL‑caliber talent.