NEW YORK — Edmonton Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is among 42 players named to participate in the NHL all-star game later this month in Columbus.
The league announced the remaining 36 all-stars who will join the six voted into the game by fans: the Buffalo Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons and Chicago Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford.
Nugent-Hopkins has 11 goals and 14 points this season, with a lot of ice time in all kinds of situations.
“I had a chance to play with a lot of great players when I went to the World Championships so I know some of them from that, but a lot of these guys have been to the all-star game many times so obviously being my first it’ll be pretty exciting for me,” Nugent-Hopkins said following practice Saturday.
“Right now he’s playing both ends of the ice very well. He’s playing in all situations and he’s very dependable,” said head coach Todd Nelson. “He’s contributing to the hockey team’s success.”
Reigning Hart Trophy winner Sidney Crosby is set to make his first appearance since 2007, joined by Pittsburgh Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin.
Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano, who’s tied for the league lead in points among defencemen, will make his first all-star game appearance.
Phil Kessel will represent the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carey Price the Montreal Canadiens, Bobby Ryan the Ottawa Senators, Radim Vrbata the Vancouver Canucks and Dustin Byfuglien the Winnipeg Jets.
With files from Global News.
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