The NHL announced the first 10 players of each division’s all-star rosters on Thursday, and representing the Chicago Blackhawks will be winger Alex DeBrincat. The nod is the first of its kind for DeBrincat in his relatively young career.
HEY NOW, HE’S AN ALL STAR 🐱⭐️ pic.twitter.com/4uP5tjt4TO
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 13, 2022
DeBrincat joins a talented Central Division squad featuring forwards Kyle Connor, Kirill Kaprizov, Clayton Keller, Jordan Kyrou, Nathan MacKinnon and Joe Pavelski, defenseman Cale Makar and goaltenders Juuse Saros and Cam Talbot. Seven of the Central Division’s selections will be making their all-star debuts, as only Keller, MacKinnon and Pavelski have participated in All-Star Weekend prior to this year.
DeBrincat learned of the news in a team meeting held on Thursday, as Blackhawks Interim Head Coach Derek King announced DeBrincat’s selection.
Casual. Cool. Calm. Cat. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/u3M98xhSY0
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 13, 2022
However, DeBrincat may not be the only Blackhawk headed to this year’s All-Star Weekend, as the NHL is holding its Last Men In fan voting contest, where fans will select the final player named to each division’s all star team. Representing the Blackhawks on the Last Men In ballot is defenseman Seth Jones.
Jones is no stranger to all-star weekend, having represented the Columbus Blue Jackets in three all-star games (2017, 2019, 2020) in addition to being selected for the 2018 contest but being unable to participate due to an injury.
Ultimately the Last Men In contest is a popularity contest, but it would behoove Central Division fans to vote for either Jones or Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi, as Makar is the lone blueliner currently on the Central Division roster.
Voting for the Last Men In contest concludes on Monday, Jan. 17 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
All-Star Weekend is being hosted by the Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas. The 2022 NHL All-Star Skills will take place on Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. EST, while the 2022 NHL All-Star Game tournament will be held on Feb. 5 beginning at 3 p.m. EST.