In 1934, Maple Leaf Gardens hosted the 'All-Star' game, serving as a benefit fundraiser for Maple Leafs forward Ace Bailey, who suffered a career-ending injury during the 1933-34 season. Thirteen years later, the Maple Leafs hosted the first official NHL All-Star Game in 1947, which called for the defending Stanley Cup champion to play against a selection of All-Stars from the other five teams.
"We are excited and honored to announce the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend in Toronto," Maple Leafs president and alternate governor Brendan Shanahan said. "We very much look forward to welcoming the game's biggest stars and treating our fans -- and fans from around the world -- to a premiere event that showcases all of what Toronto has to offer."
The 2024 Honda All-Star Game will be the 68th in NHL history. The NHL hasn't held an All-Star Weekend in Canada since the Ottawa Senators hosted in 2012.
"It's going to be fun. I think (the players) will enjoy it," Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner said. "The city's always buzzing, especially for an event like this. It's going to be ready for it. So it's going to be fun. It's going to be colder (than in Florida) but nothing a good (winter) coat can't solve."
The Maple Leafs played as a team the first seven times they hosted an All-Star Game because of the format for the event. The defending Stanley Cup champion would host the All-Star Game and play against a collection of players from the other five teams from 1947-68, except for 1951 and 1952.
On Feb. 6, 2000, the next time Toronto hosted, the format was North America vs. the World, which featured the best players from Canada and the United States playing against the best from other countries. Pavel Bure, a Florida Panthers forward from Russia, had a hat trick in a 9-4 win for the World team and was named most valuable player.
The NHL announced prior to the 2000 All-Star Game that it was retiring Wayne Gretzky's No. 99 across the League.
"I think it's the right time to come back," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. "It's been since 2000 that an all-star game has been there. They've expressed interest in recent years and we've determined it's their time. It's a celebration of the game and what better place to have an all-star celebration for fans to connect."
Further details on the 2024 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend, including ticket information, special events and broadcasting information, will be released at a later date. Fans can sign up to receive news and updates
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NHL.com staff writer Mike Zeisberger contributed to this report
