Seguin & Benn Named To NHL All Star Game, Ruff To Coach
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DALLAS (105.3 The Fan/AP) - The NHL has named the final 40 players to take part in a new 3-on-3 tournament at All-Star weekend later this month in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn have been named to the Central Division team. Lindy Ruff was announced as the coach for the Central Division.
Benn and Seguin have formed the best 1-2 punch in hockey this season. The duo is at the top of the league in points and assists and their team is leading the Western Conference by 8 points heading into Wednesday's games. They'll be joined by top vote-getter Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks.
A notable snub for the Stars is defenseman John Klingberg, however, the NHL changed the format this season to a 3 on 3 competition. Separating the conferences into four teams by their division. Meaning that Klingberg would have had a chance at six spots rather than three had the game been played under the previous format.
Klingberg ranks 3rd in the NHL in assists and 9th in the league in points.
The division-leading Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers and host Nashville Predators each have three players expected to go.
Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and league-leading goaltender Braden Holtby will represent the Capitals on the Metropolitan Division team.
The Panthers, winners of 10 in a row, will have Atlantic Division captain Jaromir Jagr, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and goaltender Roberto Luongo there.
All 30 teams have at least one representative.
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