In a scene ripped from the pages of hockey tradition, 40 children aged 7 to 12 selected from across Canada descended on Ottawa for the weekend of the 2012 Tim Horton's NHL All-Star Game to showcase their on-ice skills at the city's famous Rideau Canal. The event was the finale of the Canadian Tire NHL Junior Skills competition, a program aimed at finding the best young hockey players in Canada while strengthening community and familial bonds.
"It's been an overwhelming response. We've had several emails from parents contacting us about how great it is," said Krystie Krasnaj, an event organizer and NHL Account Executive for Partnership Marketing. "It's free to register as part of the Canadian Tire Hockey School. We have NHL alumni at the events, so kids get to see the NHL stars they otherwise wouldn't see. It's been a great experience for us."
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2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Young players showcased at Canadian Tire NHL Junior Skills
Saturday, 01.28.2012 / 8:06 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Tal Pinchevsky - NHL.com Staff Writer
Healthy Malkin playing with more confidence
Saturday, 01.28.2012 / 7:31 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
NHL.com
After an injury-shortened season in 2010-11, Pittsburgh forward Evgeni Malkin isn't taking anything for granted this time around.
That mindset has served the Russian star well, as a healthy Malkin leads the League in scoring at the All-Star break with 58 points in just 42 games. His prolific scoring has helped Pittsburgh to a fifth-place standing in the Eastern Conference at the break and earned him a fourth All-Star Game selection in six seasons.
That mindset has served the Russian star well, as a healthy Malkin leads the League in scoring at the All-Star break with 58 points in just 42 games. His prolific scoring has helped Pittsburgh to a fifth-place standing in the Eastern Conference at the break and earned him a fourth All-Star Game selection in six seasons.
NHL enters into three-year Awards deal with Vegas
Saturday, 01.28.2012 / 4:53 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
OTTAWA -- The National Hockey League is bringing its annual Awards Show back to Las Vegas for at least three more years.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced Saturday morning after the Board of Governors meeting at the Fairmount Hotel that the League has signed a new three-year partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority. The 2012 NHL Awards Show is scheduled to take place at the Encore Theater in the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Resort on June 20.
"As part of this extended partnership, we will stage a variety of new events around the city of Las Vegas," Bettman said
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced Saturday morning after the Board of Governors meeting at the Fairmount Hotel that the League has signed a new three-year partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority. The 2012 NHL Awards Show is scheduled to take place at the Encore Theater in the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Resort on June 20.
"As part of this extended partnership, we will stage a variety of new events around the city of Las Vegas," Bettman said
Preds' Suter: No long-term deal before trade deadline
Friday, 01.27.2012 / 8:20 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
All-Star defenseman Ryan Suter wants to stay in Nashville. GM David Poile wants his All-Star defenseman to stay in Nashville.
If they're going to make the marriage work, it'll have to happen after the season is over.
Suter, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, said Friday at NHL All-Star Media Day that he doesn't see a point in attempting to hurry up and get a new contract done prior to the Feb. 27 trade deadline because he fears it would become a distraction for his team, which sits fifth in the Western Conference.
If they're going to make the marriage work, it'll have to happen after the season is over.
Suter, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, said Friday at NHL All-Star Media Day that he doesn't see a point in attempting to hurry up and get a new contract done prior to the Feb. 27 trade deadline because he fears it would become a distraction for his team, which sits fifth in the Western Conference.
Karlsson's humor serves him well on and off the ice
Friday, 01.27.2012 / 7:58 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Erin Nicks - NHL.com Correspondent
OTTAWA, Ont. – Erik Karlsson is at the All-Star Game to show off his hockey skills, but out-of-town fans are also getting a taste of the 21-year-old's quick wit.
"Local people know that he's a really funny guy, and what he's like in the room," Jason Spezza said. "But for the national media to see how lighthearted he is – he's such a friendly and confident guy – it's nice to see him get the recognition. He's a guy who's really liked in our room."
The Swede's jovial nature has made him a favorite with both Ottawa media and fans alike. Combine the personality with the skills of an elite offensive defenseman, and you have a winning formula.
"Local people know that he's a really funny guy, and what he's like in the room," Jason Spezza said. "But for the national media to see how lighthearted he is – he's such a friendly and confident guy – it's nice to see him get the recognition. He's a guy who's really liked in our room."
The Swede's jovial nature has made him a favorite with both Ottawa media and fans alike. Combine the personality with the skills of an elite offensive defenseman, and you have a winning formula.
Julien: Coaching ASG at home an added bonus
Friday, 01.27.2012 / 7:48 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Arpon Basu - Managing Editor LNH.com
OTTAWA -- No NHL coach would ever say there is a bad time to win the Stanley Cup, but in the case of Claude Julien, the victory really couldn't have come at a better time.
An added bonus to Julien guiding the Boston Bruins to the Cup last spring is that he gets to coach in Sunday's 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game, and it just so happens he gets to do so in a year the NHL's mid-season party is being held in his hometown.
"The fact that it's at home certainly makes it even more special to get an opportunity to visit with family, have them come to the game and, obviously, make a nice week of it,"Julien said Friday at the 2012 Allstate Insurance All-Star Media Day. "You don't always get that opportunity. I grew up here in Ottawa, played my minor hockey here and there a lot of people I know. So if I was going to coach another All-Star Game, I couldn't have picked a better time."
An added bonus to Julien guiding the Boston Bruins to the Cup last spring is that he gets to coach in Sunday's 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game, and it just so happens he gets to do so in a year the NHL's mid-season party is being held in his hometown.
"The fact that it's at home certainly makes it even more special to get an opportunity to visit with family, have them come to the game and, obviously, make a nice week of it,"Julien said Friday at the 2012 Allstate Insurance All-Star Media Day. "You don't always get that opportunity. I grew up here in Ottawa, played my minor hockey here and there a lot of people I know. So if I was going to coach another All-Star Game, I couldn't have picked a better time."
Offseason work helped Tavares become an All-Star
Friday, 01.27.2012 / 7:47 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
OTTAWA -- Around the League they're talking about John Tavares' speed, and how it is among the most important elements in his progression from a No. 1 draft pick in 2009 to a first-time NHL All-Star in 2012.
"He's picked up a step," Toronto defenseman Dion Phaneuf said at Media Day prior to the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game. "Playing that back-to-back against him (Monday and Tuesday before the All-Star break), you can see his game is at a different level. He's definitely picked up a step, and he's making some unbelievable plays."
Once teams play the New York Islanders, the discussion also turns to his strength on the puck, how it is the second essential part of Tavares' game that has helped him begin to fulfill the promise he had coming out of the Ontario Hockey League.
"He's picked up a step," Toronto defenseman Dion Phaneuf said at Media Day prior to the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game. "Playing that back-to-back against him (Monday and Tuesday before the All-Star break), you can see his game is at a different level. He's definitely picked up a step, and he's making some unbelievable plays."
Once teams play the New York Islanders, the discussion also turns to his strength on the puck, how it is the second essential part of Tavares' game that has helped him begin to fulfill the promise he had coming out of the Ontario Hockey League.
Teammates turned rivals trash talk via Twitter
Friday, 01.27.2012 / 7:38 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
OTTAWA -- Rangers teammates Henrik Lundqvist and Marian Gaborik have taken to Twitter to add some extra spice to the 2012 Molson Canadian All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday night.
Lundqvist, whose Twitter handle is @HLundqvist30, started the trash talk shortly after 7 p.m. ET Friday when he tweeted, "Alright @MGaborik10, having a lot of pasta and going to bed early tonight. Watch out for the 2 pad stack tomorrow;)."
Gaborik responded exactly seven minutes later.
"@HLundqvist30: Want me to tuck you in?:)Watch out for the speed and the five hole shot;)"
Lundqvist, whose Twitter handle is @HLundqvist30, started the trash talk shortly after 7 p.m. ET Friday when he tweeted, "Alright @MGaborik10, having a lot of pasta and going to bed early tonight. Watch out for the 2 pad stack tomorrow;)."
Gaborik responded exactly seven minutes later.
"@HLundqvist30: Want me to tuck you in?:)Watch out for the speed and the five hole shot;)"
Elliott's return to grace completed in Ottawa
Friday, 01.27.2012 / 7:19 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
OTTAWA -- It was less than a year ago when Brian Elliott was sitting on the bench for the Ottawa Senators during a home game against the Boston Bruins, about to have the course of his future changed forever.
Elliott, the owner of a 13-19-8 record with a 3.19 goals-against average and .894 save percentage, was summoned into the Senators offices by GM Bryan Murray in the middle of the game. Elliott had spent his entire career in the Senators organization since he was drafted in the ninth round in 2003, but that was about to change.
Elliott, the owner of a 13-19-8 record with a 3.19 goals-against average and .894 save percentage, was summoned into the Senators offices by GM Bryan Murray in the middle of the game. Elliott had spent his entire career in the Senators organization since he was drafted in the ninth round in 2003, but that was about to change.
EA simulation: Giroux stars in win by Team Alfredsson
Friday, 01.27.2012 / 6:38 PM / 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game
David Kalan - NHL.com Staff Writer
One of the most exciting aspects of an All-Star Game is the mystery it provides. Fans know they'll be seeing the top players in the League, but with most of them not used to playing with one another, it can be tough for even the most astute hockey aficionados to determine which group of All-Stars is likely to prevail when the NHL's best take the ice. Throw in the wrench of the NHL's Fantasy Player Draft and the picture gets even more muddled – the teams aren’t even determined until less than 72 hours before the puck drops, and there are instances in which players who are teammates in real life wind up on opposing teams.
But EA Sports has an idea.
As soon as Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara were done picking their rosters Thursday night in Ottawa, EA Sports was on the case putting its simulation to work. Once the requisite number crunching was finished, several All-Stars had distinguished themselves, but it was an MVP performance by Philadelphia's Claude Giroux that eventually made the difference, as a late rally lifted Team Alfredsson to a 12-10 victory.
But EA Sports has an idea.
As soon as Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara were done picking their rosters Thursday night in Ottawa, EA Sports was on the case putting its simulation to work. Once the requisite number crunching was finished, several All-Stars had distinguished themselves, but it was an MVP performance by Philadelphia's Claude Giroux that eventually made the difference, as a late rally lifted Team Alfredsson to a 12-10 victory.
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