The NHL began announcing its 2022-23 All-Star rosters Thursday night, with familiar faces Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby making the list.
Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals’ goal-scoring machine, was selected to his 13th career All-Star Game. Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ superstar, was named to his ninth.
The NHL revamped its All-Star selection process this season. In the past, fans voted for the four team captains and four “last men in” after the NHL revealed the bulk of the rosters.
This year, the NHL is selecting one All-Star from every team and fans will vote for the final 12 players — three more added to each division’s roster. Those results are expected to be announced Jan. 19.
Joining Ovechkin and Crosby on the Metropolitan Division roster are Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau, Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes, New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson and Carolina Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov. The goaltender will be Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers.
Ovechkin is tied for third in the NHL entering Thursday’s games with 28 goals, and he recently passed Gordie Howe’s 801 for second-most in NHL history (808).
Boston Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark, who leads all NHL goaltenders with a 21-1-1 record, a 1.86 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage, was the goalie selected for the Atlantic Division team.
He is being joined by forwards Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres, Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings, Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and brothers Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers and Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators.
Thompson is a first-time All-Star after a red-hot start to his season for Buffalo. Entering Thursday, he was second in the NHL in goals (30) and tied for third in points (55).
The All-Stars representing the Central and Pacific Division teams will be announced later Thursday night.
NHL All-Star Weekend is scheduled for Feb. 3-4 in Sunrise, Fla.
–Field Level Media