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The NHL All Star Weekend is one of the most exciting events of the season for hockey fans. People of all ages travel from all over for this event to watch the various skills competitions and the All Star Game. This year’s All Star Weekend will be hosted in Toronto, a place known for its deep hockey culture. Recently, the NHL announced who would be representing the divisional teams, the lineups are stacked with some of the most talented players in the league. This year’s Eastern Conference teams are ready to dominate.
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The Atlantic Division has a stacked roster so far. Starting off strong, they have David Pastrnak, who is a right winger for the Boston Bruins. He is the Bruins’ leading scorer right now, having already scored 26 goals this season. He is a fan favorite and has been given the affectionate nickname of “Pasta.”
Also coming from the Boston Bruins is Jeremy Swayman, who is a goaltender. He has an incredible save percentage of 0.922, and is a key part of Boston’s lineup. Though Swayman has been in the New England Area for a while, he was born and raised in Alaska.
Next is Rasmus Dahlin, a defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres. Though he is a D-man, he can play in any situation, which has been evident through the strong offensive plays he has made this season.
Then, there is Alex DeBrincat who is a right winger for the Detroit Red Wings. Though he is the shortest player on the Red Wings’ roster, he is a powerful sniper who knows how to land pucks in the net.
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Representing the southern side of the Sunshine State from the Florida Panthers is Sam Reinhart, who is a right winger, and Sergei Bobrovsky, who is a goaltender. Reinhart is the leading scorer for the Panthers with 33 goals this season. He is a huge sports fan, especially of soccer and Lionel Messi. Bobrovsky is a veteran goalie in the league who has won the prestigious Vezina Trophy twice. He likes ice cream and regularly eats it before games.
Coming from the central part of the sunshine state is Nikita Kucherov, who is a right winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kucherov leads the league in points so far and was the first player to reach 50 points this season. He is known throughout the league for some of his legendary post-game press conference quotes.
Next is Nick Suzuki, who is a center for the Montreal Canadiens. He wows spectators with his control over the puck and is amazing at setting up goals. At the age of 23, he became the youngest captain in Montreal’s franchise history.
Then, there is Brady Tkachuk who is a left winger for the Ottawa Senators. Tkachuk is a strong offensive player with a very physical playing style. Similarly to Suzuki, Tkachuk is a young captain; the youngest in Ottawa’s Franchise history.
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Last but not least, representing the host city is Auston Matthews, a center; Mitch Marner, a right winger; William Nylander, also a right winger; and Morgan Rielly, a defenseman. Matthews is a fantastic player, leading the league in goals this season with 34 scored so far. He has a keen fashion sense and always keeps up with the latest trends, as seen in his pregame outfits. Marner is known for his incredible ability to play offense and defense very well. He is a big fan of video games and is a part of the ownership group for an esports company called OverActive Media. Nylander is known for his incredible agility while playing, and he leads the leafs in points right now. He now has the biggest contract in Leafs’ franchise history. Rielly is known for his speed, poise, and exceptional puck-handling ability. He is one of the most valuable players on the Leafs’ roster.
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Starting off the Metropolitan Division is Sebastian Aho, who is a center for the Carolina Hurricanes. Aho is known for his exceptional speed and precise scoring ability.
Next is Boone Jenner, who is a center for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is known for his strength, leading his teammates through his relentless work ethic.
Then there is Mathew Barzal, a right winger for the New York Islanders. He is known for his high shooting percentage and speed. He is an avid guitar player, and can play both the acoustic and electric guitar.
Jack Hughes, who is a center for the New Jersey Devils, was one of the most anticipated players in this tournament. He is known for his outstanding speed and fast paced style of play. However, he is currently injured and it is not certain when he will be cleared to play again.
Igor Shesterkin will be the goaltender for the Metropolitan team. He is one of the most dominant goalies in the league, having led the New York Rangers to the playoffs the past three years. He is the first goalie to have made assists in a playoff game.
Next, are right wingers Travis Konecny and Tom Wilson for the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals, respectively. Konecny is a very versatile player, known for his aggressive style. Wilson is known for his controversial and intensely physical style of play.
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Last, but not least, is Sidney Crosby, who is a center for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is one of the most well known players in the league, known for putting himself in high percentage situations to find the perfect chance to score. He has so many pre game rituals, that he was once voted the “most superstitious” player in the league.
These groups are highlighted by some of the most talented players in the NHL. It will be exciting to watch them all play for the prize in Toronto during one of the league’s most fun events of the year!
Edited by Giana Robertaccio
Social Media Content Created by Caroline McGuinness
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