#NHLStats Pack: 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend

By Reggie Gatlin-Holt

#NHLStats Pack: 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend

The information below was updated through games of Jan. 14 (also available in PDF)

 


1. The 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend has been expanded to a three-day eventwith the addition of NHL All-Star Thursday – which includes the return of the Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Player Draftfor the first time since 2015, when rosters will be determined for the All-Star Game.

 

2. There is a new format for 2024 NHL All-Star Skills presented by DraftKings Sportsbook, which will showcase 12 players competing in eight skills for a winner-take-all $1 million (USD) prize. The first 10 participants were announced Jan. 13, with the remaining two to be selected via the 2024 NHL All-Star Skills Fan Vote presented by MassMutualClick here to watch an explainer video of Skills.

 

3. NHL-leading goal scorer Auston Matthews was selected as the Maple Leafs representative among the first 32 players named Jan. 4 and three of his teammates were among the 12 players added Jan. 13 via the 2024 NHL All-Star Fan Vote Presented by MassMutual.

 

4. Should all four selected Maple Leafs play Feb. 3, it would match the most representatives from the All-Star Game hosts over the past 17 events (since 2002; also STL in 2020, TBL in 2018, NSH in 2016, OTT in 2012 & MTL in 2009). Since 1969, only six All-Star hosts have had more than four representatives in the game (most recently 5 by COL in 2001).

 

5. The Canucks are sending five players to All-Star: Quinn Hughes along with Brock BoeserThatcher DemkoJ.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson selected via fan vote. Since 1990, there have been seven instances of five or more teammates playing in the same All-Star Game: the Blackhawks in 2015 (5), Red Wings in 2002 (5), Avalanche in 2001 (5), Avalanche in 1998 (6), Stars in 1998 (5), Penguins in 1992 (5) and Bruins in 1991 (5).

 

6. Brothers Quinn and Jack Hughes, who spent part of their childhood in Toronto when their father worked for the Maple Leafs organization, can play in the All-Star Game together for the first time. They are already among 21 sets of brothers in NHL history to play in the event at any point in their career. Should they end up on the same team via the Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Player Draft, it would mark the second straight year that brothers play on the same team during an NHL All-Star Game. Overall, 11 sets of brothers have played on the same team at an NHL All-Star Game.

 

7. There are 15 players from Canadian-based teams among the 44 named to the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend. Should they all play Feb. 3, it would match the highest representation of players from Canadian clubs over the past 34 years and the seventh time since 1969 that the Game features at least 15 such representatives, following 1988 (19), 1986 (18), 1985 (17), 1989 (16), 2020 (15) and 1990 (15).

 

8. The 44 players selected include 32 forwards, eight goaltenders and four defensemen. Entering play Jan. 13, the group of All-Stars made up eight of the top 10 point-getters (and 21 of the top 28), each of the four highest goal-scorers (and 7 of the top 10), along with the two highest-scoring defensemen and the four goaltenders with 20+ wins so far this season.

 

9. Eleven All-Stars selected for next month’s event have won a competition at Skills: Connor McDavid (2017, 2018 & 2019 Fastest Skater) and Sidney Crosby (2023 Breakaway Challenge & 2017 Accuracy Shooting) each have multiple wins, while Elias Pettersson (2023 Hardest Shot), Connor Hellebuyck (2023 Tendy Tandem), Nick Suzuki (2023 Pitch ‘n Puck), Cale Makar (2023 Splash Shot), Sebastian Aho (2022 Accuracy Shooting), Mathew Barzal (2020 Fastest Skater), David Pastrnak (2019 Accuracy Shooting), Leon Draisaitl (2019 Passing Challenge) and Brock Boeser (2018 Accuracy Shooting) have also won.

 

10. Three players selected have won NHL All-Star Game MVP – all in consecutive years: Brock Boeser (2018), Sidney Crosby (2019) and David Pastrnak (2020).

 

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The three-day, NHL All-Star Weekend festivities get started with NHL All-Star Thursday at Scotiabank Arena (6 p.m. ET) and will be headlined by the return of the Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Player Draft – the fourth time overall and first in almost a decade the player draft is part of All-Star Weekend. Also Thursday: the NHL Alumni Man of the Year, Honouring the 1967 Toronto Maple Leafs and the Canadian Tire PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase.

* The No. 1 picks to date have been goaltender Cam Ward (2011) and forwards Pavel Datsyuk (2012) and Ryan Johansen (2015). Ward was a member of the host Hurricanes, Datsyuk ranked fourth in the League in points and Johansen was a member of the host Blue Jackets.

 

* The highest a defenseman has been selected is with the No. 2 pick (Erik Karlsson in 2012).

 

* The last pick in each All-Star player draft to date has been a forward: Phil Kessel (2011), Logan Couture (2012) and Filip Forsberg (2015). Forsberg ended up as the last selection after forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was assigned as the second-last pick via fan vote.
* Thirty-one active players have been selected in an All-Star player draft at least once (highlighted in the charts below; min. 1 GP in 2023-24), including 12 selected multiple times. Overall, five players were picked in all three player draftsClaude GirouxPhil KesselCarey PriceSteven Stamkos and Shea Weber. In addition, Patrick Kane participated in all three but was an assistant captain making picks in 2011 and 2015.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ORDER OF SELECTION IN THE THREE PRIOR ALL-STAR PLAYER DRAFTS

 

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Toronto will host NHL All-Star for the first time since 2000, ninth time overall and third time in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68). The city hosted the first official NHL All-Star Game in 1947 and held two benefit games involving teams of NHL All-Stars before the inaugural event 76 years ago.

 

* The roots of the NHL All-Star Game were formed 90 years ago in Toronto, when the Maple Leafs hosted the ‘All-Star’ game on Feb. 14, 1934, as a fundraiser for forward Ace Bailey, who suffered a career-ending injury during the 1933-34 season. The game raised more than $23,000 and included 22 members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Another benefit game was held in the city before the 1939-40 season, with all proceeds going to the family of Babe Siebert who drowned in 1939.

 

* The next time All-Stars gathered was for the first official NHL All-Star Game, held in Toronto on Oct. 13, 1947, pitting the reigning Stanley Cup champion Maple Leafs against All-Stars from the five other teams. It was the first of six times the city hosted the event during the Original Six era, including in 1962 when Maple Leafs forward Eddie Shack received the first All-Star MVP award.

 

* Toronto also hosted the first All-Star of the NHL’s expansion era, during the 1967-68 season when Bobby Orr made his debut at the event. The showcase landed in the city again 32 years later, when the 50th official NHL All-Star Game was held in 2000 – it was at this All-Star Game that the League retired Wayne Gretzky’s No. 99.

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1977 – The last year an NHL All-Star Game featured at least three undrafted goaltenders (Glenn Resch and Bernie Parent with the Campbell Conference and Gerry Desjardins with the Wales Conference). There are three undrafted netminders among the eight selected for 2024.

 

1967 – First year the NHL All-Star Game was held during the season (Jan. 18, 1967). Henri Richard (1-1—2) was named MVP in front of a home crowd at the Montreal Forum after leading the Canadiens to a 3-0 win against a team of 17 NHL All-Stars in the penultimate annual showcase involving the reigning Stanley Cup winners.

 

1963 – The first year an All-Star Game MVP was named. Maple Leafs forward Eddie Shack claimed the inaugural award after aiding Toronto to a win against the All-Stars at Maple Leaf Gardens.

 

927 – Number of players to skate in an All-Star Game since 1947 (798 skaters & 129 goaltenders).

 

165 – Number of different players who have skated in an NHL All-Star Game under the 3-on-3 format, which was introduced in 2016 (132 skaters & 33 goaltenders; entering 2024).

 

69 – Number of different head coaches to serve in that role at an NHL All-Star Game since 1947.

 

45 – Number of players who appeared in an All-Star Game under both the 5-on-5 and 3-on-3 formats (38 skaters & 7 goaltenders), including one named to rosters for 2024Sidney Crosby.

 

36 – Age of the oldest players named to rosters for 2024 (Cam Talbot and Sidney Crosby).

 

27 – Number of hat tricks scored during an NHL All-Star Game – 18 under the 5-on-5 format (60 GP) and nine under the 3-on-3 format (21 GP, 20 minutes each).

 

19 – NHL All-Star Games played under a format calling for the reigning Stanley Cup champion to play against a selection of All-Stars from the other five teams. It was used in all but two years from 1947-48 through 1967-68 (exceptions: 1951 & 1952), with the last such occurrence held in Toronto in 1967-68, when the Maple Leafs faced the All-Stars after what stands as their most recent Cup win.

 

16 – Most goals by both teams in an NHL All-Star Game under the 3-on-3 format, achieved twice.

 

15 – Most career All-Star points under the 3-on-3 format (tied: Sidney Crosby & Johnny Gaudreau).

 

13 – Players among those named to rosters for 2024 who have yet to play in an NHL All-Star Game. In 2022, a total of 21 players skated in their first NHL All-Star Game – the most under the 3-on-3 format and tied for the third-most in any year, excluding the inaugural event in 1947 (25 in 1981, 22 in 2011 & 21 in 1980).

 

10 – Most goals by one team in an NHL All-Star Game under the 3-on-3 format, done six times.

 

– Most career 20-minute games played by any player (skater or goaltender) under the 3-on-3 All-Star format (one or two GP per year), a mark shared by Johnny Gaudreau and Connor McDavid.

 

8 – Most career games played by a goaltender under the 3-on-3 All-Star format (one or two GP per year). To date, all goaltenders have played one of two 10-minute periods in each 20-minute game.

 

8 – Most career All-Star goals under the 3-on-3 format (tied: Sidney Crosby & Johnny Gaudreau).

 

– Number of 18-year-olds to play in an NHL All-Star Game, with Fleming MacKell standing as the youngest with his appearance for the Maple Leafs in the inaugural contest held in Toronto ahead of the 1947-48 NHL season. Every 18-year-old to play: MacKell (18 years, 166 days in 1947), Larry Hillman (18 years, 239 days in 1955), Jeff Skinner (18 years, 259 days in 2011), Steve Yzerman (18 years, 267 days in 1984), Patrik Laine (18 years, 285 days in 2017), Dale Hawerchuk (18 years, 311 days in 1982) and Aaron Ekblad (18 years, 352 days in 2015). MacKell and Hillman each represented the reigning Stanley Cup champions, whereas the others were part of a selected All-Star team.

 

– Most years playing in the NHL All-Star Game under the 3-on-3 format (tied: Johnny Gaudreau & Connor McDavid). Andrei Vasilevskiy and Braden Holtby are tied for the most among goaltenders.

 

– Most points by a player in one 20-minute game under the 3-on-3 All-Star formatMatthew Tkachuk (Atlantic Division) had 3-2—5 during the second semifinal in 2023 to tie the mark set by Mathew Barzal and Sidney Crosby (both 2-3—5 with Metropolitan Division) during the 2019 final.

 

4 – Players named to rosters for 2024 who were undrafted (goaltenders Sergei BobrovskyAlexandar Georgiev & Cam Talbot, along with forward Frank Vatrano).

 

4 – Most goals by a player in one 20-minute game under the 3-on-3 format, achieved by Tomas Hertl (Pacific Division) during the second semifinal in 2020.

 

4 – Most assists by a player in one 20-minute game under the 3-on-3 format, first achieved by Connor McDavid (Pacific Division) during the first semifinal in 2018 and then by Tyler Bertuzzi (Atlantic Division) during the first semifinal in 2020.

 

– Number of benefit/memorial games staged before the first official NHL All-Star Game in 1947: the Ace Bailey Benefit Game (Feb. 14, 1934 at Maple Leaf Gardens), Howie Morenz Memorial Game (Nov. 3, 1937 at Montreal Forum) and Babe Siebert Memorial Game (Oct. 29, 1939 at Montreal Forum). A total of 70 individuals participated in those contests but never in an official NHL All-Star Game (61 skaters, 4 goaltenders & 5 head coaches).

 

2 – Most NHL All-Star Game titles by a player under the 3-on-3 format (13 skaters & 1 goaltender).

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All-Star appearance in brackets (including 2024)

F          20        Sebastian Aho, CAR (3rd)

* Aho (also 2019 & 2022) is set to join Eric Staal (4x), Ron Francis (3x) and Justin Faulk (3x) as the fourth three-time All-Star in Hurricanes/Whalers franchise history.

 

* In 2022, Aho won the NHL Accuracy Shooting event, marking the second consecutive time a Carolina skater won the event after Jaccob Slavin in 2020.

 

* Aho recently became the first player in franchise history with four-plus points on consecutive days (Dec. 27-28, 2023) – and the first player to accomplish the feat League-wide since Jeremy Roenick from Nov. 25-26, 1999 (6-2—8 w/ PHX). He then became the fourth in Hurricanes/Whalers history to post three-plus points in three straight games.

 

* Aho ranks among the top five in franchise history for career goalsassists and points (hitting the 500-point mark earlier this season) and is on the verge of his eighth straight 20-goal campaign. He already is one of two players in franchise history to begin his NHL career with seven consecutive 20-goal seasons, following Ron Francis who did so with the Whalers (10 from 1981-82 to 1990-91).

 

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F          13        Mathew Barzal, NYI (3rd)

* Barzal is set to become the seventh three-time All-Star in franchise history and first since John Tavares (5x). The others: Denis Potvin (9x), Bryan Trottier (7x), Mike Bossy (7x), Pat LaFontaine (4x) and Ed Westfall (3x).

 

* Barzal (2-3—5) and Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (2-3—5) each recorded five points in the 2019 final, which is tied with Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (3-2—5 in 2023 SF) for the highest single-game total recorded under the 3-on-3 format.

 

* Barzal (0:22 in 2019 F) and Crosby (0:15 in 2019 SF) each scored in the opening 22 seconds of the 2019 All-Star final and semifinals, respectively, which still rank among the top 10 fastest goals from the start of an NHL All-Star Game under any format.

 

* Barzal won the Fastest Skater event in 2020, clocking a time of 13.175 seconds for his full lap around the rink to edge runner-up and then-two-time reigning champion Connor McDavid (13.215 sec.).

 

***

 

F          98        Connor Bedard, CHI (1st)
Bedard (18 years, 201 days on Feb. 3, 2024) can become the youngest player in League history to play for an NHL All-Star team and the second youngest ever to play in the event behind Fleming MacKell (18 years, 166 days) who skated with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Maple Leafs at the inaugural showcase in 1947.

 

* Bedard can become the first 18-year-old with a goal and fourth with a point in an NHL All-Star Game. The 18-year-olds with a point: Aaron Ekblad (0-4—4; 18 years, 352 days in 2015), Jeff Skinner (0-1—1; 18 years, 259 days in 2011) and Steve Yzerman (0-1—1; 18 years, 267 days in 1984).

 

* Bedard (18 years, 201 days on Feb. 3, 2024) can become the first teenager to represent the Blackhawks in the NHL All-Star Game. To date, the two youngest to do so were Patrick Kane (20 years, 67 days) and Jonathan Toews (20 years, 271 days) in 2009.

 

* Bedard can become the second rookie to represent the Blackhawks on an NHL All-Star team – and first in more than 50 years; he would follow Tony Esposito who, at age 26, stopped all nine shots he faced for the All-Stars East in 1970. In addition, two rookies played for Chicago in the event when the reigning Stanley Cup champions took part: Murray Hall and Chico Maki both were held off the score sheet while playing for the Blackhawks in the NHL All-Star Game ahead of the 1961-62 season, after the club won the championship the spring prior.

 

* Entering 2024, a total of 14 active players skated in the NHL All-Star Game as a rookie, including six as teenagers and three as 18-year-olds. Only two rookie forwards have appeared in the five NHL All-Star Games contested since 2018: Vancouver’s Brock Boeser, who won MVP in 2018, and his teammate, Elias Pettersson,in 2019.

 

* Overall, 55 rookies have represented an NHL All-Star team in the event (42 skaters and 13 goaltenders).

 

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F          22        Oliver Bjorkstrand, SEA (1st)

* Bjorkstrand is set to become the second Kraken player to represent the club in an NHL All-Star Game, following Jordan Eberle in 2022. Matty Beniers was named to the Pacific Division team last year – part of his Calder Memorial Trophy-winning campaign – but missed the game due to injury.

 

* Bjorkstrand is set to become the third Danish-born player to appear in an NHL All-Star Game, after Frans Nielsen (2017) and Frederik Andersen (2020 & 2022). All three hail from Herning, Denmark.

***

G         72        Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA (2nd)

* Bobrovsky made his only other All-Star Game appearance in 2017 as a member of the Blue Jackets, playing a pivotal role in helping the Metropolitan Division win the 3-on-3 tournament. He is one of 13 goaltenders with a 3-on-3 All-Star title and the only one of that group named to the 2024 roster.

 

* Bobrovsky made 16 saves across 20 minutes of play during the 2017 All-Star Game which rank among the top 10 for one year under the 3-on-3 format: Devan Dubnyk (25 in 2019), Braden Holtby (23 in 2019), Juuse Saros (22 in 2023), Andrei Vasilevskiy (21 in 2023), Luongo (20 in 2016), Tristan Jarry (19 in 2022), Vasilevskiy (18 in 2018), Holtby(17 in 2017 WSH), Cam Talbot (16 in 2022) and Bobrovsky (16 in 2017).

 

* Bobrovsky can become the fourth different Florida goaltender to represent the club in an All-Star Game, following Roberto Luongo (2004, 2015 & 2016), John Vanbiesbrouck (1994, 1996 & 1997) and Tomas Vokoun (2008). The 35-year-old is set to become the third player to represent the Panthers in an All-Star Game at age 35 or older, following Jaromir Jagr (age 43 in 2016) and Luongo (age 36 in 2016 & age 35 in 2015).

 

* So far this season, Bobrovsky has overtaken Vanbiesbrouck for second place on the franchise wins list and posted his 40th NHL shutout (Nov. 27) – all after helping Florida reach the Stanley Cup Final last spring.

 

* Before making his first All-Star Game appearance in 2017, Bobrovsky tied the NHL record for longest winning streak by a goaltender – he won 14 consecutive outings for the Blue Jackets from Nov. 29, 2016 to Jan. 3, 2017.

 

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F          6          Brock Boeser, VAN (2nd)

* Boeser made his All-Star Game debut in 2018 at age 20 and joined Mario Lemieux in 1985 as the second rookie in NHL history to receive MVP honors at the event. He and Lemieux (age 19 in 1985) are the only players to win the award before their 22nd birthday.

* Boeser opened the 2023-24 campaign by matching the franchise record for goals in a game with four – the first four-goal performance by a Canucks player in nearly 20 years. He is now set to shatter career highs in goals and points, while also on track to become the third different player in Canucks history to score 50 goals in a campaign and the first since Pavel Bure in 1997-98 (51).

 

* Boeser’s six-year gap between All-Star appearances is set to tie Bo Horvat (2017 & 2023) for the longest by a Canucks player. Boeser is the only Vancouver player to be named All-Star MVP.

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F          87        Sidney Crosby, PIT (6th)

* Sidney Crosby can become the fourth Penguins player to skate in the NHL All-Star Game at least six times; only Mario Lemieux (10x), Jaromir Jagr (6x) and Kris Letang (6x) have done so.

 

* Crosby was named NHL All-Star Game MVP in 2019, after compiling 4-4—8 across the two games – including multiple goals in each outing – to lead the Metropolitan Division to its second NHL All-Star title under the 3-on-3 format.

 

* Crosby (8-7—15 in 6 GP) is tied with Johnny Gaudreau (8-7—15 in 9 GP) for the most points in the 3-on-3 All-star Game format.

 

* Crosby (2-3—5) and Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (2-3—5) each recorded five points in the 2019 Final, which is tied with Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (3-2—5 in 2023 SF) for the highest single-game total recorded under the 3-on-3 format.

 

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D          26        Ramus Dahlin, BUF (3rd)

* Dahlin (2022 & 2023) is set to become the first defenseman in Sabres history to represent the club in three straight NHL All-Star Games. He will be the third Buffalo blueliner to play in the event at least three times overall, following Mike Ramsey (4x) and Phil Housley (3x).

 

* At age 23, Dahlin already ranks among the top six in franchise history for career goalsassists and points among defensemen.

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F          93        Alex DeBrincat, DET (2nd)
* DeBrincat is set to become the fifth Red Wings player in the past 30 years to represent the club in an NHL All-Star Game during his first campaign with the franchise. He will join Brendan Shanahan (1996-97), Dominik Hasek (2001-02), Dylan Larkin (2015-16) and Frans Nielsen (2016-17).
* DeBrincat (Farmington Hills, Mich.) can join Larkin (Waterford, Mich.; 3x) as the second Michigan-born player to represent the Red Wings on an NHL All-Star team.

***

G         35        Thatcher Demko, VAN (2nd)

* Demko (also 2022) is set to become the third Canucks goaltender to make multiple appearances in the NHL All-Star Game. He will join Roberto Luongo (2007 & 2009) and Kirk McLean (1990 & 1992).

 

* Demko (San Diego, Calif.) is the only California-born goaltender to appear in an NHL All-Star Game. To date, the only other California-born players of any position to skate in an NHL All-Star Game are Auston Matthews (San Ramon, Calif.) and Jason Robertson (Arcadia, Calif.).

* Demko hit the 20-win plateau in 29 games this season, tying Ryan Miller (29 GP in 2014-15) for the fewest appearances to reach mark by a Canucks goaltender.

* Demko is the only goaltender in Canucks history to record each of the first 100 wins of his NHL career with the club, hitting the mark in his 196th career game on Jan. 6. In his fifth season as an NHL regular, Demko could rank among the top three in franchise history for career wins by the end of 2023-24.

 

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F          29        Leon Draisaitl, EDM (5th)

* Draisaitl can become the eighth player to represent the Oilers in the All-Star Game at least five times, following Wayne Gretzky (8x), Mark Messier (8x), Connor McDavid (7x, including 2024), Grant Fuhr (6x), Jari Kurri (6x), Kevin Lowe (6x) and Paul Coffey (5x). Each of those players skated in at least five straight All-Star Games.

 

* Draisaitl (3-1—4 in 2020 SF) shares the Oilers record for most points in an All-Star game with McDavid (2018), Doug Weight (2001) and Gretzky (1983). Draisaitl accounts for one of nine hat tricks under the 3-on-3 format and one of two by the Oilers in All-Star Game history, alongside Gretzky’s four-goal outing in 1983.

 

* Draisaitl is one of two German nationals to make multiple NHL All-Star Game appearances, alongside Olie Kolzig (1998 & 2000) who was born in South Africa. He is one of six German-born players to skate in the event, following Walt Tkaczuk (1970), Willie Huber (1983), Uwe Krupp (1991), Marco Sturm (1999) and Dany Heatley (2003, 2007, 2009). Draisaitl has more career NHL goals, assists and points than any German born-and-trained player in history.

 

* Draisaitl is tracking toward becoming the fourth player in franchise history to record at least three straight 40-goal seasons, a benchmark fellow Oilers All-Star Connor McDavid can also achieve this season. Draisaitl is coming off consecutive 50-goal seasons and back-to-back 100-point campaigns.

 

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F          9          Jack Eichel, VGK (4th)

* Eichel is set to play in the NHL All-Star Game for the first time since 2020 when he skated in the event for a third straight year. He participated in the Fastest Skater event in all three years from 2018 to 2020, finishing among the top three twice (2018: 3rd; 2019: 2nd; 2020: 4th).

 

* Eichel had a 12-game point streak from Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, 2023, establishing a new benchmark for the Golden Knights franchise. During that run, Eichel played in his 500th NHL game – his 470 career points through the milestone contest rank fifth among active U.S.-born players behind Auston Matthews (563), Patrick Kane (483), Matthew Tkachuk (479) and Johnny Gaudreau (471).

 

* In 2023, Eichel had 6-20—26 to help the Golden Knights win their first Stanley Cup. In the process, he became the third player in the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) to lead the League in points during his first trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, joining Eric Staal (2006) and Bill Goldsworthy (1968).

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F          9          Filip Forsberg, NSH (2nd)
* Forsberg is set to play in the NHL All-Star Game for the first time since 2014-15 when he skated for Team Toews at the event in Columbus – the last time the Player Draft occurred. Forsberg, a rookie at the time, was assigned to Team Toews with the 35th and final pick that year after being named as an injury replacement.

 

* It has been nine seasons since Forsberg’s first NHL All-Star Game appearance. He can become the 10th player in League history to go at least that long from their first appearance to their next, and third active to do so after Jordan Eberle (10 seasons; 1st in 2011-12, 2nd in 2021-22) and Sidney Crosby (10; 1st in 2006-07, 2nd in 2016-17).

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G         40        Alexandar Georgiev, COL (1st)

* Georgiev can become the first Avalanche goaltender in more than 20 years to play in an NHL All-Star Game and just the third in franchise history to skate in the event – Patrick Roy did so five times with Colorado (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002 & 2003), while Mario Gosselin represented the Quebec Nordiques in 1986.

 

* Georgiev (Ruse, Bulgaria) is the only Bulgarian-born player in NHL history. Only eight goaltenders born outside the “Big Six” (Canada, Czechia, Finland, Russia, Sweden & United States) have played in the NHL All-Star Game: Frederik Andersen (Denmark; 2x), Arturs Irbe (Latvia; 2x), Olie Kolzig (South Africa; 2x), Evgeni Nabokov (Kazakhstan; 2x), Jaroslav Halak (Slovakia; 1x), Jonas Hiller (Switzerland; 1x), Cristobal Huet (France; 1x) and Peter Sidorkiewicz (Poland; 1x).

 

* Georgiev can follow in the footsteps of other undrafted netminders in recent years. There has been at least one undrafted goaltender in each of the past three NHL All-Star Games: Logan Thompson (2023), Cam Talbot (2022) and David Rittich (2020).

 

* Georgiev started the 2023-24 campaign with a six-game winning streak, becoming the eighth goaltender in NHL history to win each of his team’s first six games of a season. He is on pace to become the first goaltender in Avalanche/Nordiques history with multiple 40-win seasons.

***

G         37        Connor Hellebuyck, WPG (4th)

* Hellebuyck (2018, 2020 & 2023) is expected to set a new franchise benchmark for All-Star appearances among Jets/Thrashers players – he is currently tied with Ilya Kovalchuk (3, all w/ ATL) and Dustin Byfuglien (3; 1 w/ ATL, 2 w/ WPG).
* Hellebuyck (4th in 2024) is set to become the third goaltender to play at least four years under the 3-on-3 All-Star format, following Andrei Vasilevskiy (5) and Braden Holtby (5).

* Hellebuyck is the Jets/Thrashers franchise leader in games played by a goaltender and has contested nearly half of the club’s regular-season games since they relocated to Winnipeg in 2011-12 (49.8%). He also tops the franchise list for career wins and shutouts.

***

 

F          48        Tomas Hertl, SJS (2nd)

* Hertl owns the record for most goals in one game under the 3-on-3 format, setting the benchmark with 4-0—4 for the Pacific Division during the second semifinal in 2020. He also shares the record for most goals in one year under the 3-on-3 format (5-0—5 in 2020; tied with Dylan Larkin in 2023).

 

* During his first appearance at All-Star, Hertl donned a Justin Bieber mask for his shootout attempt on Jordan Binnington after the pop superstar accepted an offer from the Blues netminder for a breakaway challenge just a few weeks before the event.

 

* Hertl is the third-longest serving current Sharks player behind Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Logan Couture and ranks among the top seven in franchise history for career goalsassists and points.

***

 

F          86        Jack Hughes, NJD (3rd)
* Hughes, 22, can become the second player in Devils franchise history to make three NHL All-Star Game appearances before his 23rd birthday – he would join Kirk Muller (1985, 1986 & 1988).

 

* Hughes (2022 & 2023) can join Auston Matthews (2017, 2018 & 2019) as the second U.S.-born player in NHL history to make three All-Star appearances before age 23.

 

* Hughes and his brother, Quinn Hughes, can play in the NHL All-Star Game together for the first time. They are already among 21 sets of brothers in NHL history to play in the event at any point in their career, with Quinn debuting in 2020 and Jack playing in 2022 and 2023. There has never been a family with three siblings playing in the NHL All-Star Game during the same year (the Pronovost family is the only one to have three brothers play in the All-Star Game at any point in their careers, but AndreJean and Marcel neverskated in the event together).

 

* To date, 15 sets of brothers have played in the NHL All-Star Game during the same year including three born in the United States: Brady and Matthew Tkachuk (2020 & 2023); Derian and Kevin Hatcher (1997); and Brian and Joe Mullen (1989). The Tkachuks (2023 w/ Atlantic Division) are the only U.S.-born brothers to play in an All-Star Game as teammates.

 

* Should the Hughes’ end up on the same team via the Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Player Draft, it would mark the second straight year that brothers from any country play on the same team during an NHL All-Star Game. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk did so in 2023, the first instance since 2012 when Daniel and Henrik Sedin both skated for Team Alfredsson (after being selected 18th and 26th overall in the Player Draft). Overall, 11 sets of brothers have played on the same team at an NHL All-Star Game.

***

D          43        Quinn Hughes, VAN (2nd)
* Hughesis set to make his second All-Star appearance following an appearance in 2020 at Enterprise Center in St. Louis where he tied the 3-on-3 record for points in a game by a defenseman (1-3—4 in SF). That year also saw Hughes become the second rookie defenseman ever to score a goal in an NHL All-Star Game, following Islanders legend Denis Potvin (1974 All-Star Game).

 

* Hughes and his brother, Jack Hughes, can play in the All-Star Game together for the first time. They already are among 21 sets of brothers in NHL history to play in the event at any point in their career, with Quinn debuting in 2020 and Jack playing in 2022 and 2023. There has never been a family with three siblings playing in the NHL All-Star Game during the same year (the Pronovost family is the only one to have three brothers play in the All-Star Game at any point in their careers, but AndreJean and Marcel neverskated in the event together).

 

* To date, 15 sets of brothers have played in the NHL All-Star Game during the same year including three born in the United States: Brady and Matthew Tkachuk (2020 & 2023); Derian and Kevin Hatcher (1997); and Brian and Joe Mullen (1989). The Tkachuks (2023 w/ Atlantic Division) are the only U.S.-born brothers to play in an NHL All-Star Game as teammates.

 

* Should the Hughes’ end up on the same team via the Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Player Draft, it would mark the second straight year that brothers from any country play on the same team during an NHL All-Star Game. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk did so in 2023, the first instance since 2012 when Daniel and Henrik Sedin both skated for Team Alfredsson (after being selected 18th and 26th overall in the Player Draft). Overall, 11 sets of brothers have played on the same team at an All-Star Game.

 

***

 

F          38        Boone Jenner, CBJ (1st)

* Led the Blue Jackets with 13 goals (29 GP) before being injured Dec. 8 – halfway to his 68-game total from 2022-23 (26). He led Columbus in goals last season, the first time he has done so.

 

* Jenner is in his 11th season with the Blue Jackets – the most in franchise history – and on Nov. 18 became the all-time leader in games played for Columbus. He also ranks among the top three in franchise history for career goals and points.

 

* Jenner is in his third season as Blue Jackets captain, the seventh to wear the “C” in franchise history.

***

 

F          97        Kirill Kaprizov, MIN (3rd)

* Kaprizov can become the first player in Wild history to skate in three consecutive NHL All-Star Games and the second to appear in the event at least three times at any point, following goaltender Devan Dubnyk (3x; 2016, 2017 & 2019).

 

* Kaprizov is the only player in Wild history to record consecutive 40-goal seasons and in 2023-24 can match the club record for consecutive 30-goal campaigns.

 

* In his fourth NHL season, Kaprizov already ranks among the top five in Wild history for career goals and in the top 10 for career points. He also holds single-season franchise records for goalsassists and points (all set in 2021-22) and is the only Wild player to win the Calder Memorial Trophy (in 2020-21 after franchise rookie records in each of the aforementioned categories despite it being an abbreviated campaign).

***

 

F          9          Clayton Keller, ARI (4th)

* Keller (Chesterfield, Mo.) is one of two Missouri-born players to skate in an NHL All-Star Game, after five-time All-Star forward Pat LaFontaine (St. Louis, Mo.).

 

* Keller (2019, 2022 & 2023) is set to surpass Keith Tkachuk (3x) and Teppo Numminen (3x) for the most All-Star appearances by a Coyotes player (since 1996-97). He will tie Dale Hawerchuk (4x) for the most NHL All-Star Game appearances in Coyotes/Jets franchise history.

 

* Keller leads the Coyotes in scoring after pacing the club in each of the past two seasons and in four of the past six. The only players to lead the Coyotes/Jets in points in three or more consecutive seasons are Dale Hawerchuk (9 from 1981-82 to 1989-90), Keith Tkachuk (3 from 1995-96 to 1997-98), Jeremy Roenick (3 from 1998-99 to 2000-01) and Shane Doan (7 from 2003-04 to 2010-11).

 

***

 

F          11        Travis Konecny, PHI (2nd)

* Konecny notched three assists in his lone NHL All-Star appearance, factoring on three of five goals for the Metropolitan Division in a semifinal loss to the Atlantic Division in 2020. He is set to join Claude Giroux (7x) as the only Flyers players to skate in multiple NHL All-Star Games since the club’s last trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010.

 

* Konecny leads the Flyers in scoring after pacing the club in each of the past two seasons and in three of the past four. The only players in franchise history to top the club in points in three or more consecutive seasons are Bobby Clarke (6; 1970-71 to 1975-76) and Giroux (4; 2010-11 to 2013-14).

 

* Konecny is on pace to set career highs for goals and points in a season. He can become the first 40-goal scorer for the Flyers since Jeff Carter in 2008-09.

 

***

 

F          86        Nikita Kucherov, TBL (5th)
* Kucherov is set to tie teammate Andrei Vasilevskiy (5) for the third-most NHL All-Star Game appearances by a Lightning player, behind Steven Stamkos (7) and Martin St. Louis (6).

 

* Kucherov scored the first hat trick ever recorded under the 3-on-3 All-Star format, in front of his home fans in Tampa during the 2018 semifinal.

 

* Kucherov has seven career All-Star goals, all since 2016-17, which is the second most under the 3-on-3 format, and trails only six active players for the most under any format (Patrick Kane w/ 9; Sidney CrosbyJohn TavaresClaude GirouxJohnny Gaudreau & Alex Ovechkin all w/ 8).

 

***

 

F          28        Elias Lindholm, CGY (1st)

* Lindholm is set to become the second Swedish player to represent the Flames in the NHL All-Star Game, following Kent Nilsson in 1980 (while the franchise was based in Atlanta) and 1981.

 

* Lindholm has the most goals, points and game-winning goals among Flames player since 2018-19, his first campaign with the club. He can become the 15th player to record five 20-goal seasons with the franchise.

 

* Entering play Jan. 4, Lindholm ranked second on the Flames with 10 overtime points since joining the club in 2018-19 – one back of Johnny Gaudreau.

***

 

F          29        Nathan MacKinnon, COL (5th)

* MacKinnon is set to play in his fifth career NHL All-Star Game, following appearances in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2023. He also attended the 2019 event in San Jose but did not participate in Skills or play in the 3-on-3 games due to injury. MacKinnon’s absence from Skills led to one of the most memorable moments in the history of the Fastest Skater competition as he was replaced by Kendall Coyne Schofield who became the first woman to participate in the event.

 

* MacKinnon can become the sixth player in franchise history to play in five or more career NHL All-Star Games, following Joe Sakic (12), Peter Stastny (6), Patrick Roy (5), Michel Goulet (5) and Peter Forsberg (5). Sakic made seven of his 12 appearances from 1995-96 onward, the most by an Avalanche player (each of the five by Roy and Forsberg were since the club began play in Colorado).

* So far this season, MacKinnon has posted the third-longest point streak in franchise history (19 GP; tied) and become the first player since Wayne Gretzky (35 years ago) to record a home point streak of 20 or more games. MacKinnon also set a franchise record for points in a calendar month with 11-18—29 in December (15 GP).

 

***

D          8          Cale Makar, COL (3rd)
* Makar (also 2022 & 2023) is set to tie Rob Blake (2002, 2003 & 2004) and Sandis Ozolinsh (1997, 1998 & 2000) for the most All-Star Game appearances among defensemen in franchise history.

 

* Makar leads NHL defensemen in points-per-game this season and is within striking distance of the first 100-point campaign by a defenseman in Avalanche/Nordiques history. By the end of the season – or even by All-Star – Makar is likely to hold franchise records for goalsassists and points by a defenseman.

* Makar set a franchise record for points in a calendar month by a defenseman, posting 4-21—25 in November (14 GP). On Nov. 18, he became the fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 200 career assists (254 GP) – edging fellow All-Star Quinn Hughes who set the previous benchmark last March (263 GP).

 

***

F          16        Mitchell Marner, TOR (3rd)

* Marner can become the fourth Maple Leafs player in the past 20 years to appear in consecutive All-Star Games, following Auston Matthews (3 from 2017 to 2019), Phil Kessel (3 from 2011 to 2015) and Tomas Kaberle (3 from 2007 to 2009).

* Marner (Markham, Ont.) is one of eight Ontario-born All-Stars among the first 32 named Jan. 4 or the 12 voted in Jan. 13. Over the past 55 years, seven players have represented the host NHL team in an All-Star Game played in their birth province: Jason Spezza (Toronto, Ont.; 2012 w/ OTT), Curtis Joseph (Keswick, Ont.; 2000 w/ TOR), Patrick Roy (Quebec, Que.; 1993 w/ MTL), Mark Messier (Edmonton, Alta.; 1989 w/ EDM), Grant Fuhr (Spruce Grove, Alta.: 1989 w/ EDM), Guy Lafleur (Thurso, Que.; 1975 w/ MTL) and Guy Lapointe (Montreal, Que.; 1975 w/ MTL).

* Marner ranks among the top seven franchise history for career multi-point, three-point, four-point and five-point games, as well as multi-assist and three-assist games.

 

* This season, Marner has climbed from 10th place to seventh place on the club’s all-time points list, overtaking Ted KennedyBob Pulford and Frank Mahovlich – with a shot at surpassing Ron Ellis (640 points) for sixth place before the end of 2023-24. Marner also is set to overtake George Armstrong for sixth place on the club’s all-time assists list.

 

* In November, Marner became the fastest player in Maple Leafs history to record 400 assists (524 GP) and in January became the fastest to reach 600 points (548 GP).

 

***

F          34        Auston Matthews, TOR (5th)
* Matthews (2017, 2018, 2019 & 2022) is set to play in his fifth career NHL All-Star Game, tied with Frank Mahovlich (5) for the third-most appearances on an NHL All-Star team in franchise history behind Mats Sundin (8) and Sid Smith (6). Matthews also attended the 2020 event in St. Louis but did not play due to injury.

 

* Matthews made his All-Star debut in 2016-17 when he became the second Maple Leafs rookie to represent an NHL All-Star team in the event, following Wendel Clark in 1986.
* In just his eighth season, Matthews already ranks among the top five in franchise history for career goals. He paces all NHL players in goals since entering the League in 2016-17.

 

***

 

F          97        Connor McDavid, EDM (7th)

* McDavid is set to make his seventh NHL All-Star Game appearance, the second most in franchise history behind eight by both Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. He can join Gretzky (8) as the second Oilers player to skate in at least seven consecutive NHL All-Star Games.

 

* McDavid has six 100-point seasons and is tracking toward a seventh – a feat achieved by only five players in League history (all long-retired members of the Hockey Hall of Fame).

 

* McDavid’s trophy case includes five Art Ross Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards, three Hart Trophy wins and a Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. The only player to win all those awards and an All-Star Game MVP is Sidney Crosby.

 

 ***

F          9          J.T. Miller, VAN (1st)

* Miller, 30, is set to become the seventh player and fifth skater to make his NHL All-Star Game debut at age 30 or older while representing the Canucks. He can join Radim Vrbata (age 33 in 2015), John Garrett (age 31 in 1983), Tracy Pratt (age 31 in 1975), Daniel Sedin (age 30 in 2011), Darcy Rota (age 30 in 1984) and Gary Smith (age 30 in 1975).
* Miller notched his 50th point in just his 37th game of the season – the fourth-fastest in franchise history – and is in position to set a franchise record for points in a season. Currently only two players in Canucks history have accumulated at least 110 points in a campaign: Henrik Sedin (112 in 2009-10) and Pavel Bure (110 in 1992-93).

* Miller is on pace for his first 100-point season – after missing the mark by one point in 2021-22 – and can become the seventh different player in Canucks history to reach triple digits in one campaign.

 

* On Nov. 16, Miller skated in his 300th game with the Canucks – his 326 points through that milestone rank second behind Pavel Bure (348) for the most by any player through their first 300 contests with Vancouver.

 

***

F          88        William Nylander, TOR (1st)

* Nylander is set to become the first player from the Nylander family to appear in the NHL All-Star Game. His father, Michael, played 15 NHL seasons across seven teams from 1992-93 to 2008-09.

 

* Nylander can become the third Swedish national to represent the Maple Leafs at the All-Star Game following Hall of Famers Mats Sundin (8x; last: 2004) and Borje Salming (3x; last: 1978).

 

* Nylander set the Maple Leafs record for longest season-opening point streak after recording a point in his first 17 contests of 2023-24 – a run he capped with the overtime winner in his native Sweden during the 2023 NHL Global Series – Sweden presented by Fastenal.

 

* Nylander is fresh off signing an eight-year contract extension and is on pace for his first 100-point season. In addition to his franchise record-setting start, Nylander also did something earlier in 2023-24 that no generation of Leafs Nation had seen: had point streaks of at least a dozen games multiple times in the same season.

***

 

G         29        Jake Oettinger, DAL (1st)

* Oettinger is set to become the fourth goaltender to represent the Stars in an NHL All-Star Game and first since Marty Turco made his third straight appearance in 2007 (also 2003 & 2004). The others since the club relocated to Texas in 1993-94: Ed Belfour (1998 & 1999) and Andy Moog (1997).

 

* Oettinger, 25, is set to become the second-youngest goaltender in franchise history to represent the club in an NHL All-Star Game, behind Don Beaupre who at age 19 was one of the North Stars’ selections for the Wales Conference All-Stars in 1981.

 

* Oettinger is within reach of becoming the fastest goaltender to record 100 career wins with the Stars/North Stars franchise – Belfour (174 GP) holds the current benchmark. Turco (192 GP) was the fastest to do so from the start of his NHL career.

***

 

F          88        David Pastrnak, BOS (4th)

* In 2020, Pastrnak became the first player from Czechia to be named All-Star MVP. Additionally, he became the fourth Bruins player awarded the honor, following Bobby Orr (1972), Ray Bourque (1996) and Bill Guerin (2001).

 

* Pastrnak is responsible for one of the nine hat tricks under the 3-on-3 format (4-2—6 in 2020 SF). One year prior, in 2019, Pastrnak became the first Bruins player to win the Shot Accuracy event at Skills since Ray Bourque claimed the title in 2000 (in Toronto). Bourque is the NHL record holder with eight wins in the Shot Accuracy competition, but that was the last time he won as a Bruin.

 

* Pastrnak is set to surpass Milan Hejduk (3) and Roman Hamrlik (3) to become the fifth Czechia-born player to skate in the NHL All-Star Game at least four times; only Jaromir Jagr (10), Dominik Hasek (6), Patrik Elias (4) and Tomas Kaberle (4) have done so.

***

F          40        Elias Pettersson, VAN (4th)
* Pettersson is set to become the third Canucks player to skate in the All-Star Game at least four times, following Markus Naslund (5x) and Pavel Bure (4x).

 

* Pettersson started the 2023-24 campaign at a torrid pace, becoming the fastest Canucks player in 40 years to record 20 points in a season. He is on pace to join Bure (2) as the second player in franchise history with multiple 100-point seasons and can become the first Swedish-born player in League history with consecutive 100-point campaigns.

 

* Pettersson is set to become the first Swedish-born player to skate in at least four NHL All-Star Games before his 26th birthday. Overall, he can become the eighth from the Tre Kroner to play in the event at least four times, following Nicklas Lidstrom (11x), Mats Sundin (8x), Erik Karlsson (7x), Daniel Alfredsson (6x), Peter Forsberg (5x), Henrik Lundqvist (5x) and Markus Naslund (5x).

 

* Pettersson made his NHL All-Star Game debut in 2019 as a rookie. He became the third rookie in Canucks history to skate in an All-Star Game, following Dale Tallon (1971) and Brock Boeser (2018), with Quinn Hughes (2020) since adding his name to that list. He helped make Vancouver the first team in the expansion era (since 1967-68) and third in All-Star history to be represented by a rookie in three consecutive seasons.

***

 

F          13        Sam Reinhart, FLA (1st)

* His father, Paul Reinhart, played in two NHL All-Star Games, representing the Campbell Conference All-Stars in 1985 and 1989. They will become the 10th family in NHL history to have a father-son combination each play in the NHL All-Star Game at some point in their careers, following the Tkachuks, Stastnys, Parises, Hulls, Howes, Fogolins, Dineens and Apps’.

 

* Reinhart is set to shatter his career high for goals in a season (currently 33 in 2021-22) and can become the second 50-goal scorer in Panthers historyPavel Bure is responsible for the only two 50-goal seasons in franchise history, the first of which he recorded in 1999-00 – the same season he was named NHL All-Star Game MVP and the last time the event was held in Toronto.

 

* Bure and Matthew Tkachuk (2023) are the only Panthers to be named NHL All-Star Game MVP. The last team to have a representative claim the award in consecutive years was the Rangers: Mike Gartner (1993) and Mike Richter (1994).

***

F          44        Morgan Rielly, TOR (1st)

* Rielly is set to become the first Maple Leafs defenseman in a dozen years to play in the All-Star Game and the fifth Toronto blueliner to do so over the past 31 years, following Dion Phaneuf (2012), Tomas Kaberle (2002, 2007, 2008 & 2009), Dmitry Yushkevich (2000, the last time the club hosted All-Star) and Larry Murphy (1996). In the expansion era (since 1967-68), only 13 different blueliners have represented the club on an All-Star team.

 

* Rielly, the longest-serving current Maple Leafs player, ranks among the top 10 in franchise history for career goalsassists and points by a defenseman. By the end of the season, he is likely to overtake Tim Horton for third place in all-time scoring among Toronto blueliners behind Borje Salming and Tomas Kaberle – the only three defenseman to skate in more games for the blue and white.

 

* Rielly has already surpassed his goal total from the entire 2022-23 campaign and is on track to record at least 60 points in a season for the third time in his career. Only two defensemen in franchise history have recorded three 60-point seasons: Borje Salming (5x) and Ian Turnbull (4x).

 

***

 

G         31        Igor Shesterkin, NYR (2nd)

* Shesterkin is set to follow Mike Richter (2000), Ed Giacomin (1968), Gump Worsley (1963) and Chuck Rayner (1949 & 1951) as the fifth Rangers goaltender to play in an NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.

 

* In the Rangers’ season opener, Shesterkin (159 GP) became the seventh-fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach 100 career wins and fastest since Chris Osgood in 1997-98.

 

* Shesterkin (2021-22) is one of three Rangers to win the Vezina Trophy under the current selection criteria (since 1981-82), alongside Henrik Lundqvist (2011-12) and John Vanbiesbrouck (1985-86).

 

* A Rangers goaltender was part of each of the first two Player Drafts in NHL All-Star history. Lundqvist was selected 11th overall in 2011, the third netminder selected that year behind Cam Ward (1st) and Tim Thomas (10th). One year later, Lundqvist made selections in the Player Draft alongside team captain Daniel Alfredsson and chose Jonathan Quick, now with the Rangers, as the first netminder picked by Team Alfredsson.

 

***

 

F          14        Nick Suzuki, MTL (3rd)

* Suzuki (also 2022 & 2023), 24, is set to become the third Canadiens player to represent the club on an NHL All-Star team at least three times before his 25th birthday; he will join goaltender Carey Price (2009, 2011 & 2012) and Bernie Geoffrion (1953, 1955 & 1956).

 

* Suzuki can become the first Canadiens skater to appear in three consecutive NHL All-Star Games since Mark Recchi from 1997 to 1999. Price is the only Montreal player to do so since then, tending goal in four straight events from 2009 to 2015 (participating in all three previous Player Drafts in the process).

 

* Suzuki became the youngest captain in Canadiens history when he was given the “C” ahead of the 2022-23 season at age 23. The distinction was previously held by Sylvio Mantha who was named captain at age 24 ahead of the 1926-27 campaign.

 

* Suzuki is tracking toward his third consecutive 20-goal season, a feat achieved by only two Canadiens players in the past dozen years: Brendan Gallagher and Max Pacioretty.

 

***

G         1          Jeremy Swayman, BOS (1st)

* Swayman will become the 12th goaltender to represent the Bruins in an All-Star Game and second in as many years following Linus Ullmark in 2023. This can mark the first time Boston has different goaltenders play in consecutive All-Star Games. The only other clubs in the past 25 years to have that happen are the Canucks (Jacob Markstrom in 2020 & Thatcher Demko in 2022) and Ducks (Jean-Sebastien Giguere in 2009 Jonas Hiller in 2011); the last club had that occur across consecutive years was the Stars (Andy Moog in 1997 & Ed Belfour in 1998).

 

* Swayman (Anchorage, Alaska) can become the first Alaska-born goaltender to appear in an All-Star Game. During the 2000 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto, forward Scott Gomez (Anchorage, Alaska) became the first player born in the state to skate in the event – Gomez also played in 2008 and remains the only Alaska-born player to participate to date.

* Swayman won 62 of his first 100 NHL games, tied for the most victories at that stage of a career among active netminders. That also places him among a group of 15 goaltenders in NHL history with at least that many victories through 100 contests.

 

* In 2022-23, Swayman teamed up with Linus Ullmark to help the Bruins to a record-setting 65-win season and claimed the William M. Jennings Trophy in the process. Ullmark had 40 wins while Swayman had 24, making Boston the first team in NHL history with both a 40-win and 20-win goaltender.

***

 

F          18        Robert Thomas, STL (1st)
* Thomas is on pace to set career highs for goals and points in a season (he set his current highs with 20-57—77 in 2021-22; 72 GP).

 

* Thomas is set to make his NHL All-Star Game debut. He grew up in Aurora, Ont., approximately one hour outside Toronto, and played his minor hockey with the York Simcoe Express.

 

* The Blues had four players skate in the 2000 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto, tied for the most among all clubs (w/ DET, NJD & PHI). Pavol Demitra (2-0—2) and Roman Turek (11 saves) helped the World All-Stars defeat Chris ProngerAl MacInnis and the North American All-Stars that year. The club went on to win its first Presidents’ Trophy that season.

 

***

 

F          7          Brady Tkachuk, OTT (4th)

* This is Tkachuk’s fourth consecutive NHL All-Star Game – a first in Senators history and in the Tkachuk family. Overall, Tkachuk is set to become the third Senators player to make at least four NHL All-Star Game appearances at any point, following Daniel Alfredsson (6x) and Erik Karlsson (5x).

 

* Tkachuk played at the 2020 event in his hometown of St. Louis – where he joined his brother, Matthew (currently a 2x NHL All-Star), and father, Keith (a 5x NHL All-Star), on stage for the first Gatorade NHL Shooting Stars – and took part in 2022 and 2023.

 

* The Tkachuks are among a group of four father-son combos who each skated in multiple NHL All-Star Games; Gordie (23x) and Mark Howe (4x), Bobby (12x) and Brett Hull (8x), and Bill (2x) and Kevin Dineen (2x) are the others. In 2023, the Tkachuks became the first family to have a father and multiple sons each with more than one NHL All-Star Game appearance.

 

* Tkachuk scored 12 goals through his first 20 games this season, the most by a Senators player at that stage of a season since Mark Stone had 13 in 2017-18. In 2021-22, Tkachuk became the youngest captain in franchise history.

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G         39        Cam Talbot, LAK (2nd)

* Talbot is set to become the fifth goaltender to represent the Kings in an NHL All-Star Game and first since Jonathan Quick made his second appearance in 2016. Quick’s first trip to All-Star was in 2012 when he was selected sixth overall by Team Alfredsson in the Player Draft (the second netminder picked behind Tim Thomas, 3rd overall). The other Kings goaltenders to appear in the event did so more than 40 years ago: Rogie Vachon (3x; 1973, 1975 & 1978), Mario Lessard (1981) and Terry Sawchuk (1968).

 

* Talbot is set to join Sawchuk (1967-68) as the second goaltender to represent the club in an NHL All-Star Game during his first campaign with the club. Skaters Kevin Fiala (2022-23), Wayne Gretzky (1988-89), Marcel Dionne (1975-76) and Terry Harper (1972-73) also were All-Stars in their first season with Los Angeles.

 

* Talbot, who hails from Caledonia, Ont. (approximately 100 kilometers from Toronto), made his All-Star debut in 2022 at age 34. In doing so, he became the sixth goaltender in League history to appear in the event for the first time at age 34 or older, following Johnny Bower (age 36 in 1961), Manny Legace (age 34 in 2008), Mike Smith (age 34 in 2017), Dwayne Roloson (age 34 in 2004) and Rejean Lemelin (age 34 in 1989).

 

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F          77        Frank Vatrano, ANA (1st)

* Vatrano is set to become the fourth active skater to play for at least four different teams before making his first NHL All-Star Game appearance. The former Bruins, Panthers and Rangers forward is set to follow Jonathan Marchessault (4; CBJ, TBL, FLA & VGK before 2022), David Perron (5; STL, EDM, PIT, ANA & VGK before 2020) and Anthony Duclair (5; NYR, ARI, CHI, OTT & CBJ before 2020). Fellow 2024 All-Star Cam Talbot also did so, tending goal for the Rangers, Oilers, Flyers, Flames and Wild before his first appearance in 2022.

 

* Vatrano is on pace to set single-season career highs in goals, assists and points, thanks in part to a hot start to 2023-24 when he tallied two hat tricks in his first eight contests. Vatrano became the second player in franchise history to score multiple hat tricks that early in a season.

 

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F          43        Tom Wilson, WSH (2nd)

* Wilson scored 13 seconds into his first NHL All-Star Game in 2022, the fastest goal to start a game under the 3-on-3 format (besting the previous mark of 15 seconds set by Sidney Crosby in the 2019 semifinal) and one second shy of the fastest to start any NHL All-Star Game (0:12 by Rick Nash in 2008).

 

* A top-20 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, Wilson is on pace for his fourth career 20-goal season in 2023-24. He has played each of his 11 NHL seasons with the Capitals and was part of their Stanley Cup-winning team six years ago.

 

* When named to the All-Star Game, Wilson ranked in the 90th percentile or higher in every NHL EDGE skating speed category in 2023-24: top speed (93rd percentile), 22+ mph bursts (94th percentile), 20-22 mph bursts (93rd percentile) and 18-20 mph bursts (90th percentile).

 

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Under the All-Star selection process, the head coach of the team with the highest points percentage (points earned divided by total possible points) in each of the four divisions through games Saturday, Jan. 13 – the halfway point of the regular season – will guide the four All-Star rosters. Those head coaches are noted below.

 

Jim Montgomery, BOS (2nd)

* Boston (.702) owned the highest points percentage in the Atlantic Division when Montgomery was named to the All-Star Game.

 

* Montgomery is set to become the fourth Bruins head coach to serve that role in multiple NHL All-Star Games, following Claude Julien (2x; 2008-09 East & 2011-12 Chara), Milt Schmidt (2x; 1957-58 NHL All-Stars & 1958-59 NHL All-Stars) and Lynn Patrick (2x; 1950-51 NHL All-Stars & 1953-54 NHL All-Stars).

 

 ***

Rick Bowness, WPG (1st)

* Winnipeg (.714) owned the highest points percentage in the Central Division (and NHL) when Bowness was named to the All-Star Game.

 

* Bowness, who is set to celebrate his 69th birthday Jan. 25, will serve as head coach at the NHL All-Star Game for the first time in his career. He will become the oldest head coach in All-Star history – the current benchmark was set by Scotty Bowman when he served in that role for the 13th and final time in 2002 at age 68.

 

* Bowness is the second head coach in Jets/Thrashers history to serve at the All-Star Game, following Paul Maurice in 2019.

 

 ***

Peter Laviolette, NYR (4th)

* New York (.659) owned the highest points percentage in the Metropolitan Division when Laviolette was named to the All-Star Game.

 

* Laviolette will be making his fourth All-Star Weekend appearance as head coach (also 2011, 2015 & 2018), the most among active head coaches in the League.

 

* Laviolette is the second Rangers head coach to serve in that role at the NHL All-Star Game. John Tortorella represented New York as a co-head coach in 2012 (one year after Laviolette held the same role while representing the Flyers at his first All-Star Game).

 

***

 

Rick Tocchet, VAN (2nd)

* Vancouver (.709) owned the highest points percentage in the Pacific Division when Tocchet was named to the All-Star Game.

 

* Tocchet made his All-Star head coaching debut in 2020 when he represented the Coyotes and led the Pacific Division to the $1 million prize.

 

* Tocchet is the fourth Canucks head coach to serve in that role at the NHL All-Star Game, following Roger Neilson (1983), Marc Crawford (2003) and Alain Vigneault (2011 as co-head coach alongside Peter Laviolette).

 

* As a player, Tocchet played in the NHL All-Star Game four times – representing the Wales Conference each time, all over a five-season span from 1988-89 to 1992-93. Tocchet notched two points in each of those four contests: he had 0-2—2 in his All-Star debut in 1989, followed up with 1-1—2 in 1990 and 1991 and finished his All-Star playing career with two goals in 1993.

 

* Tocchet participated in the inaugural Hardest Shot event at Skills in 1990, clocking a pair of 88.0 mph blasts in a competition won by Al Iafrate. In 1993, Tocchet was part of Accuracy Shooting – he went 2-for-10 and watched as Wales Conference teammate Ray Bourque won with the first perfect 4-for-4 score in the event’s history.

 

COURTESY NHL PUBLIC RELATIONS

Posted in NHL