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(Photo: NHL Public Relations)

With today’s release of the 2016 All-Star jerseys, the NHL has also announced which players will don them for this year’s revamped events in Nashville at the end of the month.

First, the look.

“The 2016 Honda NHL All-Star jersey pays tribute to the city of Nashville’s cultural scene, which includes the Nashville Predators,” said Brian Jennings, NHL Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President. “With creative support from Reebok’s design team, the jerseys reflect the deep bond the Predators have with the music community, the city’s growing passion for hockey, and the All-Star Game’s showcase of the best players in the league.”

Both the light and dark jerseys feature the official NHL crest and the host team Nashville’s signature gold.

According to the NHL press release, “for the on-ice version of the All-Star jersey, the crest has been constructed with reflective material which glimmers in certain light as a salute to Nashville’s vibrant night-life scene.”

The black and white colors are meant to mimic keys on a piano, celebrating Nashville’s “Music City” moniker,” while the font and text are a modern nod to traditional country music poster lettering. Sleeve patches will feature the players’ home teams as well as this year’s official All-Star logo.

The three stars at the neck pay homage to the Tennessee state flag and the NHL stars participating in the game.

 

The leaders

Speaking of which, fans were given the opportunity to vote four players into the All-Star festivities–one from each division–to captain their respective teams.

 

Captains

(Photo: NHL Public Relations)

With active clicks on nhl.com, the captains each division’s squad–Alexander Ovechkin for the Metropolitan, Jaromir Jagr for the Atlantic, Patrick Kane for the Central, and the Coyotes’ John Scott for the Pacific—were selected.

Atlantic Division

Jagr, 43, is an NHL legend who has been in the league since 1990. He has 29 points in 37 games this season. And, while he joked that he’d rather be in the Bahamas during All-Star break, his accolades over the course of his career certainly justify the status.

 

This will be his 13th All-Star appearance. He’s a two-time Stanley Cup champion with five Art Ross trophies, one Hart Memorial trophy, and three Lester B. Pearson awards. His franchise and league records are too lengthy to list.

Pacific Division

Scott, 33, has been in the league since 2008. This year he has one assist and 25 penalty minutes in 11 games–he’s been a healthy scratch the others.

And, while I’m an advocate for voting in a personality as was done last year for Zemgus Girgensons, I can’t really back a Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy, “But in the grand list of ‘reasons to care about the 2016 NHL All-Star Game,’ watching John Scott of the Arizona Coyotes lug his ass up and down the rink in a 3-on-3 tournament with the best offensive players in the world ranks near the top. Right next to ‘watching John Scott in the breakaway skills competition challenge,'” turned Reddit bullying campaign.

 

Scott is a grinder. Hopefully the sense of humor he’s shown over his career will continue to shine.
His opposing captain Jagr seems to be making the best of it.


Metropolitan Division

Ovechkin has 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists) in 38 games this season. He’s a plus-15. Ovechkin has been with the Washington Capitals (and the NHL) since 2005. He’s also been an entertaining force of the All-Star history.

2015

Ultimately, he did get a car for a family in need.

 

2009

Central Division

Kane is leading the league in points–with 59 (23 goals, 36 assists) in 41 games. He had at least one point in 26 straight games this season, breaking a Blackhawks franchise record and U.S.-born player record. He’s a three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Blackhawks, where he’s played since 2008.

Despite on-ice performance, his fan-vote election did not come without controversy, either, however, as a segment of hockey fans are torn or disturbed by the former sexual assault suspect’s continued time in the limelight. But, again, while it is important to take allegations seriously, Kane was never charged.

He is a five-time NHL All-Star, perhaps most known for performance in the skills competition.

Teams

Coaches for the four teams were selected based on team standings as of Jan. 9. The coach of the team leading each division at that time would head that division’s bench for the tourney. Standings are as such at the moment, the NHL could definitively announce coaches in addition to the league-selected rosters.

Team Atlantic Division

Coach Gerard Gallant, Florida Panthers
Captain Jaromir Jagr, F, Florida Panthers
Patrice Bergeron, F, Boston Bruins
Leo Komarov, F, Toronto Maple Leafs
Dylan Larkin, F, Detroit Red Wings
Ryan O’Reilly, F, Buffalo Sabres
Steven Stamkos, F, Tampa Bay Lightning
Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers
Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa Senators
P.K. Subban, D, Montreal Canadiens
Ben Bishop, G, Tampa Bay Lightning
Roberto Luongo, G, Florida Panthers

Central Division

Coach Lindy Ruff, Dallas Stars
Captain Patrick Kane, F, Chicago Blackhawks
Jamie Benn, F, Dallas Stars
Matt Duchene, F, Colorado Avalanche
Tyler Seguin, F, Dallas Stars
Vladimir Tarasenko, F, St. Louis Blues
Jonathan Toews, F, Chicago Blackhawks
Dustin Byfuglien, D, Winnipeg Jets
Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators
Shea Weber, D, Nashville Predators
Devan Dubnyk, G, Minnesota Wild
Pekka Rinne, G, Nashville Predators

 

Metropolitan Division

Coach Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals
Captain Alexander Ovechkin, F, Washington Capitals
Nicklas Backstrom, F, Washington Capitals
Claude Giroux, F, Philadelphia Flyers
Evgeni Malkin, F, Pittsburgh Penguins
Brandon Saad, F, Columbus Blue Jackets
John Tavares, F, New York Islanders
Justin Faulk, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Ryan McDonagh, D, New York Rangers
Braden Holtby, G, Washington Capitals
Cory Schneider, G, New Jersey Devils

 

Pacific Division

Coach Darryl Sutter, Los Angeles Kings
Captain John Scott, F, Arizona Coyotes
Johnny Gaudreau, F, Calgary Flames
Taylor Hall, F, Edmonton Oilers
Joe Pavelski, F, San Jose Sharks
Corey Perry, F, Anaheim Ducks
Daniel Sedin, F, Vancouver Canucks
Brent Burns, D, San Jose Sharks
Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings
Mark Giordano, D, Calgary Flames
John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks
Jonathan Quick, G, Los Angeles Kings

 

All-Star Schedule of Events

The aforementioned teams will take part in a three-on-three format, three-game tournament at 4 p.m. CT Sunday, Jan. 31 at Bridgestone Arena. The winners of the first two games will face off for a $1 million prize.

The All-Star Skills Competition will take place at 6:00 p.m. CT Saturday, Jan. 30. Both will be televised on NBCSN in the U.S. and Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.

 

For those visiting Nashville:

A fan fair with events for all ages is taking place from Jan. 28-Jan. 31.

From 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. CT Thursday, Jan. 28 and Friday, Jan. 29 and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, an NHL fan pass allows access to:

  • NHL Mascots
  • A photo with the Stanley Cup
  • An NHL Trophy Showcase, including the Hart, Vezina, Norris, and others
  • Meet-and-greet past and present hockey legends
  • NHL player Q&A at the NHL Fan Fair Theater
  • Visit the “Hockey in the State of Tennessee” Hall of Fame exhibit
  • Test shooting accuracy in the Bridgestone Shootout
  • Live music performances nightly
  • Create-your-own Upper Deck trading card
  • Test your hockey skills in the Honda All-Star skills zone
  • Collect rare hockey memorabilia
  • Take kids to the McDonald’s Kid’s Zone
  • Lace up on the outdoor ice rink constructed for the All-Star Weekend

Price (Single Day)
$20 Adult
$15 Children (Ages 3 to 12)
$15 Seniors (Ages 65 and over)
$15 College/Military (must show ID at entrance)
Children 2 and under: Free
Four Day Mobile Pass
$60 (Good for One Entry Each Day of Operation)

Music City Music

Scheduled musical headliners for the weekend are Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Lee Brice, Lonestar, and a number of other acts.

All-Star weekend is set to give fans star treatment in and out of the arena.

 

(As always, click videos and bolded links for additional information.)

Carly grew up needing to know more about icing than its deliciousness on cupcakes. She's the lone daughter of four children, with a father who was among the last cut from the Midwest tryouts for the 1980 Miracle on Ice Olympic team. And she knows very little matches the thrill that happens from puck-drop to handshakes. A rink didn’t return to her hometown until she was gone, but she’s been able to see two younger brothers on the ice. She's their feistiest fan. Her other hockey loyalty lies with the Blackhawks--whether it's meant seeing games for $8 with student IDs when the Madhouse didn’t have much of a temper at all, or dancing to Chelsea Dagger at standing room only--there’s something magical about a roaring anthem, the Indianhead sweater, and the Original Six. A former journalist and current editor, she carries a penchant for excitement (and maybe even fighting) with a resume that includes working for Chicago-area newspapers, and television, including The Jerry Springer Show, as well as NBCUniversal in New York. After East Coast living and a return to the Chicago area, the new Mrs. is giving Graceland a go with her Southern Gent, who now shares her adoration of the game, and their rescue dog, Doc Holliday. Other interests include Cubs, Bears, Illini, Crimson Tide, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, baking a mean pineapple upside-down cake, Kate Spade accessories, and a properly coordinated cardigan for every ensemble.

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  2. […] With the NHL All-Star Fan vote and a mix at tasteless humor/viral internet campaigning, Scott quickl…. But, the NHL seemed to think he wasn’t a match and, in the midst of a Coyotes upswing, he was part of a three-team trade with Nashville and Montreal that sent him to the Canadiens’ AHL team–the St. Johns IceCaps in Newfoundland. […]

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