Stars Collide at Historic Weekend in the NHL
This past weekend saw the hockey spotlight shine on Los Angeles for the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend. The best players from around the National Hockey League met at Staples Center for the annual skills competition, newly formatted All-Star game, and the reveal of the remaining NHL 100.
Seeing stars. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/HZwWDwS0dY
— NHL (@NHL) January 30, 2017
NHL’s 100 Greatest Players
As it’s been said, this year is the centennial year of the NHL. Many events and other special happenings are taking place throughout the calendar year to celebrate the occasion. On Jan. 1 at the Centennial Classic in Toronto, the first 33 of the NHL’s greatest 100 players were revealed. Those players were mainly from the NHL’s first half-century (1917-1966). Then, on Friday night, the remaining 67 players were finally revealed as the NHL 100 was completed. Players like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Mark Messier were just three of the many legendary players named that night. You can see the full list accompanied by their profiles here. Seeing so many amazing players together on one stage was a spectacle unlike any other.
Tonight we celebrate the 100 Greatest NHL Players of All-Time. Let's write history. #NHL100 pic.twitter.com/nt58cB39eL
— NHL (@NHL) January 28, 2017
Forever, the #NHL100. pic.twitter.com/gy2RCDnBJU
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 28, 2017
The definitive list. #NHL100
All 100 bios: https://t.co/vbYDMHZic4 pic.twitter.com/GQKkMo8x9h
— NHL (@NHL) January 28, 2017
2017 Coors Light NHL All-Star Skills Competition
Saturday night brought with it the annual skills competition to see who was the best of the best in certain aspects of the game. There was even an All-Star Celebrity Shootout featuring members of the NHL 100 plus some pop culture icons.
- Chris Pronger threw a “hit” on Justin Bieber
- Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber won the hardest shot competition for the third straight year after rocketing a 102.8 mph slap shot.
- Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was the fastest skater with a 13.02-second lap around the ice.
- Another highlight of the night was Arizona Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith scoring from the opposite end of the ice into a slot not much wider than a hockey puck itself. Smith’s incredible goal was part of a new event, the Four-Line Challenge.
Introducing our new skills event, the @Honda NHL Four Line Challenge. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/ty6Ez26mis
— NHL (@NHL) January 29, 2017
Overall, the Atlantic Division won the competition and chose to take on the Metropolitan Division in the second of three games for the All-Star Game.
2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game
After a night of skills, the real challenge came. Each division would play 3-on-3 to determine the winner of $1 million. Wayne Simmonds, along with the rest of the Metro, took home the honors.
Simmonds potted three goals in the Met’s two games with his third being the game-winner against the Pacific Division. He was also named MVP of the tournament. All this was in his first trip to an All-Star weekend. The Scarborough, ON native was originally drafted by the L.A. Kings before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers six years ago. It was truly a Hollywood night for Simmonds.
https://twitter.com/NHL/status/825860113202348032
It was a weekend for the books in the NHL as “Hockeywood” saw stars galore and made history. Take a look at some of the great scenes from the weekend:
This is a treat. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/BOCYtyN6iB
— NHL (@NHL) January 29, 2017
Hey Wayne, how was your weekend? #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/L1z7GRVk0e
— NHL (@NHL) January 30, 2017
YES. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/YVLpSKXpSm
— NHL (@NHL) January 29, 2017
Teammates, friends, pranksters. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/xpTjlS3m3c
— NHL (@NHL) January 29, 2017
About last night. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/1rj8y6jpIs
— NHL (@NHL) January 29, 2017
The most talent ever gathered on a single sheet of ice. #NHL100 #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/Af7FVpwC78
— NHL (@NHL) January 29, 2017
