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Good day to all.
So, my weekend plans include doing something I haven’t done in years. And years. And years.
I’m watching the NHL All-Star stuff from Toronto.
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Actually, it began Thursday night in front of a huge crowd at the home of the Maple Leafs with the NHL All-Star Game draft.
I went in with the lowest of expectations. Surprise, surprise, it turned out to be fairly entertaining — campy and fun and awkward all at once.
It’s the first time in nine years the league has used the format to distribute the talent.
There were four teams: Auston Matthews and Morgan Reilly of the Maple Leafs as captains and Justin Bieber as the celebrity captain; Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl of the Oilers with actor Will Arnett; Nathan McKinnon and Cale Makar of the Avalanche with singer Tate McRae, and injured Jack Hughes of the Devils and his brother, Quinn Hughes, of the Canucks, with crooner Michael Bublé.
Matthews and Reilly surrounded themselves with Toronto teammates, while Quinn took a bunch of Vancouver teammates.
Jets fans watching were likely pumped that the elite Edmonton forwards felt it wise to grab a quality puckstopper early and selected Connor Hellebuyck fourth overall.
Connor McDavid (left) of Team McDavid welcomes Connor Hellebuyck as the team’s first pick as Leon Draisaitl (right) and Will Arnett look on during the NHL All-Star week draft in Toronto on Thursday. (Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press)
Arnett, one of the stars of the brilliant TV show Arrested Development along with a long list of other credits, and part of a trio of hosts of the very best podcast in the world, SmartLess, has Winnipeg roots, so perhaps he did some influencing to make the pick happen.
His parents were born and raised here before moving to TO.
Later in the draft, the Hughes boys called out Kyle Connor’s name.
Jets coach Rick Bowness will be coaching one of the squads on Saturday.
I don’t know which one.
It’s a nice feather in the cap for a guy who has lived and breathed the NHL since the mid-70s. As a player and coach.
We have a terrific feature story on Bowness by hockey writer Ken Wiebe teed up for the Free Press online product later today and in Saturday’s paper.
Watching Hellebuyck’s early selection was a bit of a kick, but seeing Jocelyne Larocque absolutely snipe in front of 16,392 at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night was a major thrill.
The pride of Ste. Anne, maybe the finest blue-liner on the planet in the women’s game, raced down on a breakaway and ripped a shot high over the glove of goalie Anne-Renee Desbiens during the Professional Women’s Hockey League 3-on-3 showcase game.
Larocque, who suits up for Toronto, is one of the country’s most decorated players with a couple of Olympic gold medals and three world championships gold.
She should be a household name in these parts.
Tonight, the Skills Competition is slated for 6 p.m., although Connor isn’t one of the dozen players competing for a cool $1 million.
Hellebuyck could make an appearance in the one-on-one shootout portion of the night, and maybe take home $100,000.
Then on Saturday, the All-Star tournament goes at 2 p.m.
I’ve got Tostitos (a hint of lime) chips and queso in a jar ready to go.
I’m hoping for some memorable performances. Some filthy goals by Connor, Matthews, Nikita Kucherov (Lightning) and David Pastrnak (Bruins). Some acrobatic save by Hellebuyck, Thatcher Demko (Canucks) and Jake Oettinger (Stars).
A bit of clowning around. Some laughs from Arnett.
Less Ron MacLean and more David Amber.
And then let’s get back to the genuine stuff. The Jets head to Pennsylvania for games Tuesday in Pittsburgh and Thursday in Philly.
The stretch drive to the playoffs.
No more fun and games.
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