New look for NHL All-Star game
The NHL has announced that it will implement a new format for this season's All-Star game to be hosted by the Carolina Hurricanes at the end of January, 2011.
The NHL has decided to replace the current format of Eastern Conference versus Western Conference, with a type of school yard team picking, where two opposing captains choose their teams.
The players that each captain will have to draw from will consist of a combination of players chosen through fan balloting and selections made by the NHL's Hockey Operations Department.
Fans will have their say in selecting just six players (three forwards, two defenceman, and one goalie), while the other 36 players selected to play will be chosen by the NHL. The 42 players selected to play in the game will decide among themselves who will
be selected as the captains for each team.
The change in format is seen as the NHL's attempt to enliven an event that has garnered the reputation of a game that lacks real intensity, and therefor lacks entertainment as well.
"There is no doubt that the competitive juices will rise when the players themselves select the line-ups for their All-Star teams, as well as deciding who will go head-to-head in the skills challenges," Mike Ouellet, NHLPA Chief of Business Affairs, told
reporters after the announcement was made.
"The league and the NHLPA are looking forward to the excitement this new format will create for the fans, and the players, at the NHL All-Star Weekend in Carolina."
Former NHLer Brendan Shanahan, who made eight All-Star game appearances during his career, was instrumental in drawing up the new format.
Shanahan, the current Vice President of Hockey and Business Development for the NHL, said after the announcement was made, "The goal of the All-Star format change was designed to make the game more fun for everyone involved.
"By giving the players more input on team selection, as well as Skills Competition match-ups, we feel the 2011 NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft will inject more excitement and intrigue into all the events surrounding All-Star weekend."
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