The NHL announced today that Scott Hartnell has been tagged to replace the injured Jonathan Toews at the 2012 NHL All Star Game in Ottawa. Hartnell currently leads the league with thirteen powerplay goals and is in 5th place for scoring with 25 goals.
Hartnell and the rest of the Flyers have been very vocal about his desire to attend the All Star Game for weeks. His enthusiasm and personality are likely what favored him over Pittsburgh Penguin forward James Neal, who has one more goal than Hartnell.
Hartnell will be joining Claude Giroux, Kimmo Timonen, Matt Read and Sean Couturier at the annual event. Some suspect he may be an early “draft” selection from Team Chara because of his friendship with assistant captain and former Flyer Joffrey Lupul.
No matter what, it’s a great honor for Hartnell to extend what has already been a great week into a celebration with his family this weekend. He has been a key contributor for the Flyers and he deserves to be there. It’s also another opportunity for him to promote #Hartnelldown and raise additional money for charity.
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Could really use the few days off to get ready for the Stretch run..
With Briere, JVR out and others struggling to score, it would be a great oppotunity to reast and heal up before the real season starts though I am sure it;s a great honor for the players and Hartnell is not getting any younger..
Congrats! Well deserved! Now get Weber in here… 🙂
Yup, congrats to Hartnell. Only wish Kimmo didn’t get the AS nod so he could go home and rest.