NHL reveals initial All-Stars, including Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Kirill Kaprizov

Dec 4, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates against the Dallas Stars during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports — Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates against the Dallas Stars during the first period Dec. 4, 2022 at the American Airlines Center.

By Field Level Media

January 06, 2023 at 9:19 AM

The NHL began revealing its 2022-23 All-Star rosters Thursday night, with familiar faces Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby making the list.

From the Minnesota Wild, star winger Kirill Kaprizov was selected to the Western Conference team for the second time in his career.

Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals' goal-scoring machine, was selected to his 13th career All-Star Game. Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar, was named to his ninth.

The NHL revamped its All-Star selection process this season. In the past, fans voted for the four team captains and four "last men in" after the NHL revealed the bulk of the rosters.

This year, the NHL is selecting one All-Star from every team and fans will vote for the final 12 players -- three more added to each division's roster. Those results are expected to be announced Jan. 19.

Joining Ovechkin and Crosby on the Metropolitan Division roster are Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau, Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes, New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson and Carolina Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov. The goaltender will be Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers.

All Star mode: 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 ✅ #mnwild x #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/Pc4vvmdGdH
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 6, 2023

Ovechkin is tied for third in the NHL entering Thursday's games with 28 goals, and he recently passed Gordie Howe's 801 for second-most in NHL history (808).

Boston Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark, who leads all NHL goaltenders with a 21-1-1 record, a 1.86 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage, was the goalie selected for the Atlantic Division team.

He is being joined by forwards Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres, Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings, Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and brothers Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers and Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators.

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Thompson is a first-time All-Star after a red-hot start to his season for Buffalo. Entering Thursday, he was second in the NHL in goals (30) and tied for third in points (55).

In the Central Division, the NHL selected Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson, Minnesota's Kaprizov, Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros, St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey.

NHL goals (33) and points (73) leader Connor McDavid was chosen from the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division. He'll be joined by Anaheim Ducks forward Troy Terry, Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri, Los Angeles Kings forward Kevin Fiala, San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson, Seattle Kraken rookie forward Matty Beniers, Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson and Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson.

NHL All-Star Weekend is scheduled for Feb. 3-4 in Sunrise, Fla.

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