Field Level Media
14 Jan 2022, 07:10 GMT+10
The NHL All-Star Game on Feb. 5 will be a celebration of the next generation after 18 of the 36 players named to represent their respective divisions by the league's hockey operations department were chosen for the showcase contest for the first time.
The midseason game at Las Vegas still will have its fair share of star power among the four captains selected by fan vote. Selected to head their squads were the Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (Metropolitan Division), the Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews (Atlantic), the Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon (Central) and the Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (Pacific).
Players not selected All Stars included the Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby, the Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand, the Maple Leafs' Williams Nylander, the Nashville Predators' Matt Duchene, the New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin and the St. Louis Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko.
Ovechkin, who is tied for second in the NHL with 24 goals, was named to the All-Star Game for the 12th time. McDavid, who is tied for the NHL points lead with teammate Leon Draisaitl, was named for the fifth time. Matthews and MacKinnon will participate for the fourth time each.
"Obviously, it's a privilege," Ovechkin said. "It doesn't matter if you are voted by the fans or the league selects you. It's a privilege. It's representing your team, yourself and, obviously, have fun with the best players out there on the ice. It's a pretty cool moment."
First-time participants on the Metropolitan roster: forward Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils and defensemen Adam Fox of the New York Rangers and Adam Pelech of the New York Islanders.
First-timers on the Atlantic squad: forwards Drake Batherson of the Ottawa Senators and Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres and goalie Jack Campbell of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
First-timers on the Central team: forwards Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets, Alex DeBrincat of the Chicago Blackhawks, Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild and Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues, along with defenseman Cale Makar of the Avalanche and goalies Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators and Cam Talbot of the Wild.
First-timers on the Pacific roster: forwards Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings, Timo Meier of the San Jose Sharks and Mark Stone of the Golden Knights, along with goalie Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks.
Head coaches already named for the 3-on-3 tournament were the Carolina Hurricanes' Rod Brind'Amour (Metropolitan), the Florida Panthers' Andrew Brunette (Atlantic), the Colorado Avalanche's Jared Bednar (Central) and the Vegas Golden Knights' Peter DeBoer (Pacific).
One more roster spot for each of the four teams will be decided by fan vote through Monday.
The NHL is putting on its All-Star Weekend for the first time since 2019-20 season. Last season's event did not take place because of the condensed schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Pittsburgh Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Pittsburgh Star.
More Information]LONDON, U.K.: A World Health Organization (WHO) expert group investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic released its final...
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker's Housing Opportunities Made Easy initiative, which was included in the city budget passed June...
Washington DC [US], June 29 (ANI): Fans of iconic singer-songwriter Paul Simon were left disappointed after the artist cancelled his...
WASHINGTON, 7th June, 2025 (WAM) -- The United States recorded 122 new measles cases this week, with only four reported in Texas. Health...
WASHINGTON, 27th May, 2025 (WAM) -- Two people were killed and nine others, including three teenagers, injured in a shooting at Philadelphia's...
(Washington, DC) - The budget reconciliation bill passed by the United States Senate today would extend tax cuts that disproportionately...
ISTANBUL/PARIS/BRUSSELS: As searing temperatures blanket much of Europe, wildfires are erupting and evacuation orders are being issued...
VENICE, Italy: Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters marched through the narrow streets of Venice to voice their opposition to billionaire...
PARIS, France: France is taking stronger steps to reduce smoking. A new health rule announced on Saturday will soon ban smoking in...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Elon Musk's success has been built on government subsidies. Without...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
BEIJING, China: China's national soccer team may struggle to stir excitement, but its humanoid robots are drawing cheers — and not...