Justin Bowers receives a pass up-ice in a game against the Laredo Bucks on January 2, 2010. Bowers was called up to the AHL's Abbotsford Heat on Friday, January 29, 2010. (Photo Credit: John O'Neill)

The Allen Americans announced today that all-star forward Justin Bowers was called up to the AHL by the Abbotsford Heat, the affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames.  Bowers becomes the second AHL call-up for the Americans, as goaltender Charlie Effinger has been recalled twice by the Texas Stars.  Perhaps not un-coincidentally, the Heat have three games in Texas over the next four days – two in Cedar Park against the Stars on Friday and Saturday, and then one in Houston against the Aeros on Monday.  It’s always good to see Texas CHL players who excel at this level, as Bowers has certainly done, get a shot at the next level up.  Bowers has played in the AHL before, getting nine points in his 27 games.  Here is the press release out of Allen:

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ALLEN, Texas – Allen American alternate captain Justin Bowers was called up by the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League today.

Bowers, who started in the 2010 CHL All-Star Game, became the second player in Americans’ history to get called up by an AHL team. Charlie Effinger has had two stints with the Texas Stars this season.

Bowers has played a total of 27 games in the AHL for the Lake Erie Monsters and Quad City Flames, racking up five goals and four assists to make nine points.

The Heat, the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames, have games Friday and Saturday against the Texas Stars at the Cedar Park Center and one Monday against the Houston Aeros at the Toyota Center.