Pinho Proud of his First All-Star Experience
Feb 14, 2025By Brian Germinaro | Bridgeport Islanders
One great honor that any player can receive each season is to be named an All-Star. To be recognized for everything they have done and to be able to compete in the League’s All-Star festivities. Sharing the ice with other great players while representing your team and teammates.
This was an honor recently bestowed on Bridgeport Islanders forward Brian Pinho.
“It was really exciting,” Pinho said. “[Bridgeport General Manager] Chris Lamoriello told me first. He brought me in and said I was going to represent the team, and that was really important to me. I had a great time with it.”
In his second season with Bridgeport, Pinho is on pace to break his career highs in every offensive category. Pinho currently leads the team with 18 goals, only two away from his career high, which he achieved as a member of the Hershey Bears in 2019-20. He also ranks in the top three on the Islanders in points (31) and top five in assists (13).
When asked what was working for him this season: “Playing a consistent game, trying to use my speed a lot, and get more pucks to the net. I’ve been playing a lot with Chris Terry, so he makes me feel comfortable he’s an amazing player, he makes it easy.”
This season, the AHL All-Star festivities were held in Palm Springs, Calif on Feb. 2-3, home to Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds, AHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. On the first day of festivities, Pinho competed in three different events during the AHL Skills Competition.
The first was a rapid-fire competition where he, along with Alex Steeves of the Toronto Marlies, potted five goals against San Jose’s Yaroslav Askarov. Next was the pass-and-score competition, where his team was able to get one past Askarov. Finally, Pinho participated in the breakaway relay and ultimately helped the Eastern Conference defeat the West. While these contests were exciting for fans and players alike, what stood out most was what happened before the event.
“The coolest part was before the skills competition when they took down the glass by the top of the circle to the benches, so you could interact with the fans,” Pinho said. “It was fun meeting kids and signing lots of autographs.”
ALL ACCESS AT THE SKILLS COMPETITION WITH FLOHOCKEY
The next day brought the main event, the All-Star Challenge. A three-on-three tournament comprised of the best players from each of the four divisions in the AHL. Something that was a little bit of an adjustment.
“It’s a little different,” Pinho said. “There’s a lot more space and time, and there are some really good players. You just try to get open, and hope guys will find you. It was a really good time.”
As a member of the Atlantic Division squad, Pinho reached the championship game. It was in that contest he’d made his mark. Pinho found Ethan Bear (Hershey), who got the puck past Sebastian Cossa (Grand Rapids) for the game's first score. Although the Atlantic Division came up just short overall, it didn’t take away from the experience for Pinho.
“I think everyone was there enjoying it,” Pinho said. “Everyone was trying to have fun and put on a good show for the fans.”
Although being named to the All-Star Team was a great honor for Pinho, it hasn’t stopped him from trying to improve. It’s only fueled him to become a better player, and leader.
“I want to keep building off of it,” Pinho said. “It’s a big honor to be able to represent the team, and I just want to keep building and keep working at my craft.”
Not only has this experience pushed him to be a better player, but a better teammate as well. He wants to be someone who helps everyone on the team get better.