Charlotte Checkers forward Chris Terry wasn't the American Hockey League's first choice to attend the annual All-Star Classic in Atlantic City, N.J., today and Monday. But the left wing is happy to be going as the lone representative of the Checkers on the Western Conference team.

Terry, 22, was selected after the AHL earlier in the month picked center Jon Matsumoto, the team's leading scorer at the time with 34 points, and right wing Jerome Samson, who led the team in goals with 15.

Then came some unexpected events. Matsumoto was traded to the Florida Panthers and assigned to the San Antonio Rampage. Samson was called up by the parent Carolina Hurricanes and suffered an injury.

That opened up a spot for Terry, who now leads the team in scoring with 10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points. It's the first All-Star Classic for Terry, who's a third-year pro and a mainstay on the Checkers offense.

"It's a pretty big honor. It's a privilege to go to that. (There are a) lot of good hockey players in the league, especially on our team," Terry said after Thursday's 4-3 win over Rockford at Time Warner Cable Arena. "So being named to it is pretty special."

Terry is not just a playmaker. He also logs time at the point on the power play.

"He's an offensive threat," Checkers head coach Jeff Daniels said. "He's a gifted player with the puck,."

Daniels said Terry shines in different situations, such as penalty killing - not just on offense.

"He's a very smart player," Daniels said.

MUSE'S STREAK ENDS: Rookie goalie John Muse suffered his first AHL loss after five straight wins as Rockford defeated the Checkers 3-2 Friday. Muse has played the last three games after No. 1 goalie Mike Murphy suffered an injury in the pre-game warm-up against Norfolk on Tuesday.

DOUBLE HEADER: The Checkers and the Charlotte Bobcats announced Friday that the two teams will play a double-header Saturday, April 7, at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Checkers will take on the Abbottsford Heat at 12 noon; the Bobcats face the Atlanta Hawks at 8 p.m.