Bailey Honored by First All-Star Selection

Between being the NHL's Second Star of December and earning a pair of Star of the Week honors, Josh Bailey has gotten his fair share of recognition from the NHL this season.
Now he can add another league honor to his dream 2017-18 campaign as Bailey was selected to participate in the NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 26-28 in Tampa Bay. It's the first All-Star nod for the 10-year veteran.
"This was my first real time having a shot at it, so I'm honored," Bailey said. "I'm looking forward to the experience and going down there and sharing it with my family."

Bailey is having a terrific season with 50 points (12G, 38A) in 42 games. The Islanders winger is eighth in the league in points and second in assists. He's six points shy of matching his career-high, set last season.
Bailey hasn't gotten carried away with league accolades this season, but being named an all-star carries some weight for any hockey player. As nice as the star of the week and month honors are, those don't wind up on the back of a hockey card.
"This is something they can't take away from you," Bailey said. "It's definitely an honor."

TAVARES AND BAILEY HEADING TO ALL-STAR WEEKEND

This is a first-time experience for Bailey, who will represent the Islanders at the three-on-three tournament and skills competition alongside his linemate, John Tavares. Tavares is going to his fifth all-star game. Last season, Tavares and the Metropolitan Division won the three-on-three tournament, earning the Isles captain a share of the million dollar prize. Two years ago Tavares won the accuracy shooting challenge at the skills competition.
Bailey is currently sidelined with a lower-body injury, but he hopes to be back in time to participate in All-Star weekend. He cancelled a bye week trip to Florida with his family to stay on Long Island for medical treatment.
"There's never a good time to get hurt, but if there had to be a time, the bye week isn't bad to give you some extra time to recover," Bailey said.
The All-Star Weekend is a full three-day event. Friday kicks off with the NHL All-Star Friday Night concert, headlined by
Fitz and the Tantrums
, Saturday features the Skills Competition (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS) and Sunday is the All-Star Game (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS).
For the third straight year, the all-star game will be a three-on-three tournament, pitting the four divisions against each other. Bailey and Tavares will team up with Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Claude Giroux to represent the Metropolitan Division.