2022 NHL All-Star Media Day Introductions

LAS VEGAS, Nev. The 2022 NHL All-Star event kicks off today, as the players had a chance to ponder the coming events. This afternoon is the All-Star Skills competition, with the games tomorrow.

The participants by division include:

Atlantic Division (All-Star Appearance)

F Patrice Bergeron, BOS (3rd)

G Jack Campbell, TOR (1st)

D Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (1st)

D Victor Hedman, TBL (3rd)

F Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA (2nd)

F Dylan Larkin, DET (2nd)

F Auston Matthews, TOR (4th) (selected as Captain via 2022 NHL All-Star Fan Vote)

F Steven Stamkos, TBL (7th) (selected as 2022 NHL All-Star Last Men In)

F Nick Suzuki, MTL (1st)

F Brady Tkachuk, OTT (2nd)

G Andrei Vasilevskiy, TBL (4th)

Head Coach: Andrew Brunette, FLA (1st as Head Coach)

Central Division (All-Star Appearance)

F Kyle Connor, WPG (1st)

F Alex DeBrincat, CHI (1st)

D Roman Josi, NSH (4th)

F Nazem Kadri, COL (1st) (selected as 2022 NHL All-Star Last Men In)

F Kirill Kaprizov, MIN (1st)

F Clayton Keller, ARI (2nd)

F Jordan Kyrou, STL (1st)

D Cale Makar, COL (1st)

F Joe Pavelski, DAL (4th) (Named Captain in place of Nathan MacKinnon)

G Juuse Saros, NSH (1st)

G Cam Talbot, MIN (1st)

Head Coach: Jared Bednar, COL (1st as Head Coach)

Metropolitan Division (All-Star Appearance)

F Sebastian Aho, CAR (2nd)

G Frederik Andersen, CAR (2nd)

F Claude Giroux, PHI (7th)

F Jake Guentzel, PIT (1st) (selected as 2022 NHL All-Star Last Men In)

F Jack Hughes, NJD (1st)

G Tristan Jarry, PIT (2nd)

F Chris Kreider, NYR (2nd)

F Evgeny Kuznetsov, WSH (2nd)

F Alex Ovechkin, WSH (8th) (selected as Captain via 2022 NHL All-Star Fan Vote)

D Adam Pelech, NYI (1st)

D Zach Werenski, CBJ (2nd)

Head Coach: Rod Brind’Amour, CAR (1st as Head Coach)

Pacific Division (All-Star Appearance)

G Thatcher Demko, VAN (1st)

F Leon Draisaitl, EDM (3rd)

F Jordan Eberle, SEA (2nd)

F Johnny Gaudreau, CGY (6th)

G John Gibson, ANA (3rd)

F Adrian Kempe, LAK (1st)

F Connor McDavid, EDM (5th) (selected as Captain via 2022 NHL All-Star Fan Vote)

F Timo Meier, SJS (1st)

D Alex Pietrangelo, VGK (3rd)

F Mark Stone, VGK (1st)

F Troy Terry, ANA (1st) (selected as 2022 NHL All-Star Last Men In)

Head Coach: Peter DeBoer, VGK (2nd as Head Coach)

ROSTER CHANGES

Jake Guentzel (PIT) replaced Mika Zibanejad (NYR) on Metropolitan Division roster
Roman Josi (NSH) replaced Nathan MacKinnon (COL) on Central Division roster
Evgeny Kuznetsov (WSH) replaced Adam Fox (NYR) on Metropolitan Division roster
Brady Tkachuk (OTT) replaced Drake Batherson (OTT) on Atlantic Division roster

Nearly 20 of the players will be experiencing the All-Star events for their first time.

Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Jack Lima)

Forward Nick Suzuki, with the Montreal Canadians said, “I always hoped that I’d be able to play in an All-Star game. I watched [the games growing up and thought] it would be fun. I just hoped to get that experience on day. Now that I’m here it’s exciting and I hope to enjoy every second of it.”

Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Jack Lima)

Sebastian Aho, forward with the Carolina Hurricanes, recalls, “growing up, I all I wanted to do was play hockey. When I was 17 or 18, I thought maybe I could play in NHL. I had always dreamed it, not necessary being here, but this is the cherry on top of it.”

Later this afternoon, players will take to the ice to participate in one of seven different skills competition events.

Verizon NHL Fastest Skater™
Dunkin’ NHL Save Streak™
Discover NHL Fountain Face-Off™
EA SPORTS NHL Hardest Shot™
adidas NHL Breakaway Challenge™
Las Vegas NHL 21 in ’22™
Honda NHL Accuracy Shooting™

Forward Nazem Kadri, of the Colorado Avalanche (Photo by Jack Lima)

Forward Nazem Kadri, of the Colorado Avalanche reflected this way. “Getting to be here this week gives me some time to unwind and maybe relax. It gives me time to reflect on the season and get a chance to skate with all the other players.”

Here’s a look at some of the players getting interviewed this morning.