Sioux Falls, SD---The Sioux Falls Stampede, in conjunction with the United States Hockey League (USHL) announced today that U.S. Gymnast and Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson will be the featured speaker at the 2009 USHL All-Star Dinner on Tuesday, February 3rd at 6:30 PM in the Grand Ballroom of the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
Tickets for the All-Star Dinner are $50 per person ($500 for a table of 10) for the full program and $20 per person for families and individuals that would just like to hear Shawn Johnson speak and get her autograph.  The All-Star Dinner packages are currently on sale and can be purchased ONLY through the Sioux Falls Stampede office, call 605-336-6060 (ext. 201) to order your tickets.     
Johnson captured the 2008 Olympic Women's Balance Beam Gold Medal as well as the individual All-Around and Floor Exercise Silver Medal. She also helped lead the U.S. Olympic Women's Team to the Sliver Medal in Beijing. In 2007, Shawn entered the senior division of gymnastics and won every competition. She was the champion at the 2007 Tyson American Cup, won four Gold Medals and the All-Around at the 2007 Pan American Games, was the National Champion at the 2007 Visa National Championships, and won the All-Around at the World Championships in Germany, making her World Champion her first year in the Senior Division.
The West Des Moines, Iowa native has appeared on numerous TV shows and news programs, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Today Show, and The Tonight Show.  October 17, 2008 was designated “Shawn Johnson Day” by Iowa Governor Chet Culver, and in early July a bronze statue was dedicated to her at the Iowa Hall of Pride.  She was the first gymnast to ever win the Female Athlete-of-the-Year at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards in early August.  To learn more about Shawn Johnson, visit her website at: www.shawnjohnson.net 
The dinner will also feature a silent auction items featuring several sports and entertainment memorabilia.  Some of the most notable items up for bids include:  A Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins autographed jersey from SMG, dinner for four with Jason Earles (better known as Jackson Stewart on the hit Disney TV Show “Hannah Montana”) before the March 4th game, a Thomas Vanek 2009 NHL All-Star Game jersey, along with autographed jerseys from Stampede alum who are playing in the NHL.
Proceeds from the All-Star dinner silent auction will benefit the local Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Stampede Foundation for Kids. 
The Stampede will be hosting the All-Star Game the following day on Wednesday, February 4th at 7:05PM when 40 of the top USHL players face-off at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Stampede will be represented by defensemen Max Grover and Blake Thompson along with forward David Eddy.  Stampede players have captured MVP honors five times in nine seasons. This will be the second time in the ten year history of the franchise that Sioux Falls has hosted this premier hockey event that is scouted by every NHL team and hundreds of college coaches.
For the first time ever in South Dakota, the Stanley Cup will appear at the Sioux Falls Arena as part of the All-Star game festivities.  Fans will have the opportunity to see the most coveted sports trophy in the world and take pictures with the Cup during the game. There will be a separate private showing of the Stanley Cup for Stampede season ticket holders from 4-6 PM the night of the game at the Arena. Fans will be able to see former Stampede standout Chad LaRose's name on the Stanley Cup as a member of the 2006 champion Carolina Hurricanes.
The Stanley Cup is the oldest and most prestigious trophy in all of professional sports given to the National Hockey League playoff champion.  The original trophy was purchased by former Governor General of Canada Lord Stanley of Preston for $48.67 in 1892. The original trophy was just the top bowl, measuring 7 ∏ inches high and 11 ∏ inches across. The bottom section was added in 1909. The Stanley Cup became an NHL-controlled trophy in 1927. Before that, teams from various leagues vied for its ownership.    
The Stampede also released today the logo for the USHL All-Star game, designed by Henkin Schultz Marketing & Advertising.
Tickets for the All-Star Game are currently on sale and are available at the Sioux Falls Arena Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations.  Dinner packages are on sale at the Stampede office: 605-336-6060 (Ext. 201).