TEN WHL GRADS NAMED TO NHL ALL-STAR GAME
Ten Western Hockey League graduates have been chosen to play in the 2012 NHL All-Star game as the NHL announced the 36 players who will participate in the event on January 28th in Ottawa, ON.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ captain Dion Phaneuf was one of six players named to the All-Star game through fan voting. The former Red Deer Rebel and two-time WHL Defenseman of the Year earned 614,933 votes, and will be making his third trip to the All-Star game.
Joining Phaneuf among former WHL defensemen selected to the NHL All-Star game is Dustin Byfuglien of the Winnipeg Jets. Byfuglien played for the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Prince George Cougars, and also helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the 2010 Stanley Cup.
Byfuglien is joined by another former Prince George Cougar, Zdeno Chara, on the blue line for the 2012 NHL All-Star game. Chara, the captain of the 2011 Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins and former Norris Trophy winner, played for the Cougars in 1996-97.
Two former Kelowna Rockets defensemen made the 2012 NHL All-Star roster with Nashville Predators’ captain Shea Weber and Vancouver Canucks’ rearguard Alex Edler both earning invites. Weber won two WHL championships and a Memorial Cup title with the Rockets while Edler played one season in the WHL with the Rockets in 2005-06.
Another former Kelowna Rocket, Jamie Benn, will be making his NHL All-Star game debut. The 22-year-old Dallas Stars forward played two seasons in the WHL with the Rockets, helping them win the 2009 WHL championship.
A former Medicine Hat Tigers star, Joffrey Lupul, will also be making his NHL All-Star game debut. Lupul, who has enjoyed a terrific season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, scored 127 goals over his three seasons with the Tigers.
Two of the NHL’s great veterans will be suiting up in the NHL All-Star game yet again with Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla and Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa set to appear in their sixth and fifth All-Star games, respectively. Iginla, who just scored his 500th NHL goal, won a pair of Memorial Cups with the Kamloops Blazers while Hossa earned his Memorial Cup ring with the Portland Winterhawks.
In goal, former Tri-City Americans netminder Carey Price will suit up for his third NHL All-Star game. The Montreal Canadiens star played four seasons for the Tri-City Americans, winning the WHL Goaltender of the Year award in his final season in 2006-07.
In addition, two former WHL stars were named as NHL All-Star Rookies this year.
Former Red Deer Rebels star Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was named to the list for his outstanding play with the Edmonton Oilers this season, while former Portland Winterhawks center Ryan Johansen, currently playing with the Columbus Blue Jackets, also earned the honor.
