McKenna: Buy-in from Players made Vegas All-Star Weekend a hit
Las Vegas was the perfect place, at the perfect time for the 2022 NHL All-Star game.
After nearly two full years of COVID-related shutdowns, pauses, and overall uneasiness, the NHL was finally able to host a world-class event on a grand scale.
Players, fans, and media members from all across the NHL landscape were able to congregate in person for what felt like the first time in forever. It was a reunion. It was a party. And it was a display of what the NHL is capable of when creative minds are allowed to take the lead.
Saucing pucks while surrounded by the Bellagio fountains? Brilliant. Shutting down the Las Vegas Strip so the players can play a game of target-based blackjack? Pretty cool.
But what I think really mattered was that the players actually wanted to be there.
All-Star games aren’t always desirable for players. Some would rather rest or go to the Bahamas. Others can’t get excited about whatever city is hosting the event.
That wasn’t the case with Vegas. A free trip to Sin City in the middle of the season? Every NHL player wanted to go. There is no shortage of adult fun to be had in Vegas.
But what I really love about All-Star games is the family element. Players skating around with their kids and allowing them to be a part of the festivities. It’s so pure.
And it leads to some amazing soundbytes. Like when Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos’ 2-year old son took to the podium and told the world he wants to drive the Zamboni. Adorable.
I used to love bringing my daughters out for post-game interviews when I played. It lightened the mood and made things fun. Every once in a while I’ll watch those interviews on YouTube and my heart melts.
It’s the natural progression of a pro career. When you’re young, the only focus is on performing to the highest level. Getting married or starting a family usually isn’t of utmost importance.
And that’s why being selected to an All-Star game can have very different meanings to players.
For young players, it’s a jolt of adrenaline. And for many, it’s a chance to suit up alongside some of their childhood heroes. Making the NHL is one thing. But being named to an All-Star team? That’s a career exclamation point.
The first All-Star game I played in was in 2007, when I was a rookie playing for the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL. Even though it was “AA” level hockey, I was thrilled.
But it was also a chance to make a name for myself.
That’s also true for NHL players like Jordan Kyrou. The St. Louis Blues forward is having a breakout season. He was the best player in the 2022 Winter Classic when his team faced off against the Minnesota Wild at Target Field.
And during Friday night’s skills competition, Kyrou bested Adrian Kempe and Connor McDavid to win the NHL’s fastest skater event.
Fans outside of St. Louis may not have known much about Jordan Kyrou before the event. They do now.
And think about someone like Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell. It’s his tenth professional season. He’s 30 years old. And Campbell just made his first NHL All-Star appearance after spending parts of eight seasons toiling in the minor leagues.
For as long as Campbell has been grinding, it must have been validating to receive the All-Star nod. He could have given up countless times during his career. But he kept working and found a way to excel at the NHL level.
I had something similar happen during my time in the AHL. I wasn’t named to an All-Star team in that league until my tenth professional season. I was 33, but it made me feel like a kid again. My work had paid off. I’d been acknowledged.
And that’s really what it’s all about. 21 players in the 2022 All-Star game were first-time selections. Some will have more. Others won’t. But the memories last forever.
It seemed serendipitous that the NHL’s first All-Star game since 2020 took place in Las Vegas. I didn’t hear a single complaint about the location from anyone.
What I really found striking was the sheer happiness on display from everyone involved. Players were legitimately enthused to be on the ice. Fans showed up from all over the globe sporting replica jerseys of their favorite players.
It was like the hockey world took a collective breath of fresh air.
I think it made a difference in the on-ice product. The games may have started out slowly, but they got progressively more competitive through the event.
When the Central Division pulled Juuse Saros for the extra attacker against the Metropolitan Division with just under two minutes remaining in regulation, things got intense. It turned into a four-on-three power play. With a million dollar bonus on the line, I thought for sure we’d see someone lay out and block a shot.
That may not have happened, but it was nice to see the pace quicken. The Central team was snapping the puck around but couldn’t solve Metropolitan goaltender Tristan Jarry, who made 14 saves in the final frame.
The NHL has faced plenty of hurdles so far in this 2021-22 season. But for once, something went right. The 2022 NHL All-Star weekend in Las Vegas wasn’t just a success. It was a celebration. And it was exactly what the hockey world needed.