For the players, it's much of the same. Some are honoured to be selected and look forward to the event every year and others simply can't be bothered. Those who don't participate have the luxury of taking a bit of extra rest for those bumps and bruises that accumulate over the course of the season. Some even book short trips with their families to get away from the game for a few days.
In the age of the internet, teams are providing more inside access to the players than ever before and one of the ways that teams have opted to connect with the fans in recent years has been allowing their social media teams to record special moments between the GM's, coaches and the players. For example, informing players that they've been selected to participate in the All-Star Game.
For Seattle's Oliver Bjorkstrand, you'd have assumed that his first career All-Star appearance would have been a big deal to him. However, when his head coach, former Leafs assistant, Dave Hakstol told him about his selection, Bjorkstrand didn't seem too amped up about the opportunity.
Hakstol starts by asking Bjorkstrand what his plans for the break are. The veteran winger seemed excited about renting out an Air B&B for his family in San Diego, but when Hakstol told him he may want to cancel those plans and book a flight to Toronto, the joy had almost immediately left his face.
Bjorkstrand joins a list of players, which includes the likes of Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner, Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki and San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl, who have all made the initial All-Star Game roster over names like Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar, Elias Pettersson, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Roman Josi and a number of additional star players who probably deserve to be there more.
POLL | ||
JANVIER 5 | 703 ANSWERS Kraken forward has the worst reaction after being told he's an NHL All-Star Should the NHL scrap the All-Star Game and come up with something better? | ||
Yes, it's lame | 556 | 79.1 % |
No, I love the All-Star Game | 147 | 20.9 % |
List of polls |