The NHL recently announced the captains, coaches, and celebrity captains for its upcoming All-Star Game weekend festivities in Toronto next month. This year, the league is bringing back the player draft format, adding new elements to heighten the excitement and create a unique experience for both players and fans. Let’s take a closer look at the teams and the personalities associated with them.
Team Matthews, captained by Toronto Maple Leafs’ center Auston Matthews and co-captained by Leafs’ teammate Morgan Rielly, will be sporting blue jerseys for the All-Star Game. Joining the team as their celebrity captain is none other than Justin Bieber, a long-time Leafs’ fan and a familiar face at the club’s games in Toronto. The combination of talented NHL players and an iconic celebrity captain is sure to make Team Matthews a force to be reckoned with.
Edmonton Oilers’ center Connor McDavid will lead Team McDavid as its captain, with teammate Leon Draisaitl as the co-captain. Actor and avid hockey lover Will Arnett will serve as their celebrity captain. Arnett’s passion for the sport and his involvement in the hockey community make him a perfect fit for this role. Team McDavid, donning the white jerseys, will be a strong contender in the All-Star Game.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon takes on the captain’s role for Team MacKinnon, joined by teammate Cale Makar as the co-captain. Their celebrity captain is Canadian singer/songwriter Tate McRae, whose recent single “Greedy” climbed the charts. With their yellow jerseys, Team MacKinnon brings a vibrant energy to the All-Star Game.
The dynamic duo of brothers Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) and Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils) will serve as co-captains for Team Hughes. Adding to the star power of the team is their celebrity captain, Canadian singer Michael Buble, a lifelong hockey fan and part owner of a junior team in Vancouver. The red jerseys worn by Team Hughes symbolize their passion and determination on the ice.
In addition to the captains, each team will be assigned a coach. The bench bosses for the All-Star Game are as follows:
– Team Matthews: Winnipeg’s Rick Bowness
– Team McDavid: Vancouver’s Rick Tocchet
– Team MacKinnon: Boston’s Jim Montgomery
– Team Hughes: The New York Rangers’ Peter Laviolette
These coaches will provide guidance and strategy to maximize their teams’ performance during the All-Star Game.
The NHL has decided to bring back the player draft format for this year’s All-Star Game. Previously implemented in 2011, 2012, and 2015, the league hopes that this format will add an element of excitement and showcase the personalities of the players. The league’s chief content officer, Steve Mayer, expressed his enthusiasm for the return of the draft and the inclusion of celebrity captains. The player draft will take place at 6 p.m. ET on February 1, kicking off the NHL All-Star weekend.
With the announcement of the captains, coaches, and celebrity captains, the NHL All-Star Game in Toronto promises to be an unforgettable event. The mix of talented NHL players, celebrity captains, and the reinstatement of the player draft format adds a new level of excitement and entertainment for both players and fans. As the teams gear up for the skills competition and the All-Star Game itself, hockey enthusiasts eagerly await the puck drop on February 3. Get ready for a weekend filled with skill, passion, and unforgettable moments on the ice at the NHL All-Star Game.
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