2012 NHL All Stars Take Over Ottawa

The 59th edition of the NHL All Star Game is set to take place this year from the capitol of Canada, Ottawa!The festivities for the weekend ofically kicked off last night with the Fantasy Draft for the game, as Daniel Alfredsson captains one team and Zdeno Chara captains the other. Here is the results of the draft and offical rosters for this weekends ASG:

Team Alfredsson (White)
11. Daniel Alfredsson Ottawa Senators RW
30. Henrik Lundqvist New York Rangers G
65. Erik Karlsson Ottawa Senators D
19. Jason Spezza Ottawa Senators C
32. Jonathan Quick Los Angeles Kings G
28. Claude Giroux Philadelphia Flyers C
58. Kris Letang Pittsburgh Penguins D
91. Steven Stamkos Tampa Bay Lightning C
1. Brian Elliott St. Louis Blues G
6. Shea Weber Nashville Predators D
22. Daniel Sedin Vancouver Canucks LW
5. Dan Girardi New York Rangers D
3. Keith Yandle Phoenix Coyotes D
9. Milan Michalek Ottawa Senators LW
33. Henrik Sedin Vancouver Canucks C
18. James Neal Pittsburgh Penguins LW
23. Alexander Edler Vancouver Canucks D
91. John Tavares New York Islanders C
19. Scott Hartnell Philadelphia Flyers LW
29. Jason Pominville Buffalo Sabres RW
39. Logan Couture San Jose Sharks C

Co-Head Coach: John Tortorella Co-Head Coach: Todd McLellan

Team Alfredsson Rookies

Sean Couturier Philadelphia Flyers
Justin Faulk Carolina Hurricanes
Carl Hagelin New York Rangers
Nick Johnson Minnesota Wild
Matt Read Philadelphia Flyers
Craig Smith Nashville Predators.

Team Chara (Blue):
33. Zdeno Chara Boston Bruins D
19. Joffrey Lupul Toronto Maple Leafs RW
13. Pavel Datsyuk Detroit Red Wings C
30. Tim Thomas Boston Bruins G
71. Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins C
81. Marian Hossa Chicago Blackhawks RW
44. Kimmo Timonen Philadelphia Flyers D
10. Corey Perry Anaheim Ducks RW
31. Carey Price Montreal Canadiens G
81. Phil Kessel Toronto Maple Leafs RW
20. Ryan Suter Nashville Predators D
35. Jimmy Howard Detroit Red Wings G
51. Brian Campbell Florida Panthers D
88. Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks RW
3. Dion Phaneuf Toronto Maple Leafs D
12. Jarome Iginla Calgary Flames RW
6. Dennis Wideman Washington Capitals D
10. Marian Gaborik New York Rangers RW
14. Jordan Eberle Edmonton Oilers RW
19. Tyler Seguin Boston Bruins C
14. Jamie Benn Dallas Stars LW

Head Coach: Claude Julien
Assistant coaches: Doug Houda, Doug Jarvis and Geoff Ward

Team Chara Rookies
Luke Adam Buffalo Sabres
Raphael Diaz Montreal Canadiens
Colin Greening Ottawa Senators
Cody Hodgson Vancouver Canucks
Ryan Johansen Columbus Blue Jackets
Gabriel Landeskog Colorado Avalanche

So there you have it the ASG offical Rosters. Now there were some players who were selecteed to play in this hockey game who had to miss the game due to either personal reason's or injuries.

Prior to the draft several players withdrew due to injury or personal reasons:

Mikko Koivu Minnesota Wild
Left shoulder injury, replaced by Jordan Eberle

Alex Ovechkin Washington Capitals
Voluntary withdrawal because of suspension (although the All-Star Game does not count as a game with respect to suspensions), replaced by James Neal

Jonathan Toews Chicago Blackhawks
Hand injury, replaced by Scott Hartnell

Dustin Byfuglien Winnipeg Jets
Knee injury, replaced by Kris Letang

Adam Henrique (rookie) New Jersey Devils
Groin injury, replaced by Carl Hagelin on rookie roster

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (rookie) Edmonton Oilers
Left shoulder injury, replaced by Nick Johnson on rookie roster

Adam Larsson (rookie) New Jersey Devils
Wrist injury, replaced by Raphael Diaz on rookie roster.

So this is the All-Stars and why some of them are there. now then there are more events as part of this weekend.

These are the planned events for all star weekend. In conjunction with the game and the skills competition, the Ottawa Senators are planning a "Fan Fest" at the Ottawa Convention Centre and a "legends shinny game" on the Rideau Canal. Ottawa's annual Winterlude winter carnival will host outdoor events of the game weekend. Activities include:
NHL Trophy Procession on the Rideau Canal Skateway
Ice Sculptures at Confederation Park
Nightly DJs at Confederation Park
Energizer® Night Skate™ at NHL All-Star on the Rideau Canal Skateway
All-Star Concert in The Cabin™ at The Great Canadian Cabin nightclub anadian Tire NHL Junior Skills™ National Championship on the Rideau Canal Skateway


And just to get everybody fired up for the skills competition tomorrow nigiht here is a look back at Zedeno Chara's record breaking blast from last year:


But the fun doesn't stop here. Just to remind everybody that there is an actual all star game to be played sunday afternoon at 4. And to get everybody ready for the game sunday, here is probably my all time favorite moment during an all star game, Owen Nolan Calling the Shot back in 1997:


So now we can all enjoy the 2012 NHL All Star Game!