COLUMBUS, OHIO – Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nikita Filatov was named to the starting lineup for the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team that will take on the Canadian AHL All-Star team in the 2009 American Hockey League All-Star Game, the club and the AHL announced today. The starting lineup was selected by AHL fans via an online ballot. The 2009 AHL All-Star Classic, includes the skills competition on Sunday, January 25, and the 2009 AHL All-Star Game on Monday, January 26 at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.

Filatov, 18, is one of 19 members that were selected to the PlanetUSA All-Star team for the first time. The Syracuse Crunch forward is currently tied for second on the club with seven goals and is fourth with 17 points. He also has tallied 10 assists and has a +6 plus/minus rating in 23 games for the Crunch this season.

The Moscow, Russia native was called up to the Blue Jackets for the second time this season earlier today. In his first stint with the Blue Jackets, he became only the fourth player in franchise history to score a goal in his NHL debut when he lit the lamp against Nashville on October 17.

The rookie recently tallied 8-3-11, six penalty minutes and was +3 in seven games for Russia at the 2009 World Junior Championships, serving as team captain and finishing among the tournament’s top goal scorers (first-tied) and point producers (fourth-tied). He was named to the All-Tournament Team and led Russia to the bronze medal.

Columbus’ first pick, sixth overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft, Filatov tallied 32-34-66 and 90 penalty minutes in 34 games with CSKA of the Russian Junior League in 2007-08. He also helped Russia capture the bronze medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships, tallying 4-5-9, 10 penalty minutes and was +7 in seven games.

The Blue Jackets return to action Friday when they visit reigning NHL most valuable player Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Game time from Verizon Center is set for 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio will begin with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the Blue Jackets Radio Network and flagship station WWCD-FM, CD101.

Tickets for 2008-09 regular season home games are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, FOX Sports Ohio Blue Line at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, The Chiller Ice Rinks and all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers. Fans can purchase tickets by phone at (800) 745-3000 or online at www.BlueJackets.com and www.ticketmaster.com. For information on season tickets, mini-plans or group tickets, call (614) 246-PUCK or 800-NHL-COLS.