January 11, 2015
The Flyers have two of the National Hockey League’s top point scorers. Now, they’re both All-Stars.
“[To be selected to my first ever All-Star Game] would mean a lot, obviously it would be a dream come true.”
Jake Voracek, who leads the league with 50 points (16 goals, 34 assists), will make his first NHL All-Star appearance later this month along with linemate Claude Giroux. The NHL announced the picks Saturday, and the two forwards were the only Flyers players selected.
After Saturday’s loss to the Bruins, but before the all stars were announced, Voracek was asked what being selected would mean to him.
“It would mean a lot, obviously it would be a dream come true,” the 25-year-old Czech winger said. “It would be bitter sweet today because obviously I would feel a little bit better because we lost those two points today.”
Not as important to Voracek is his point total. When asked if he foresaw this offensive surge prior to the season, he told reporters that while he realized it was a “good story,” he wasn’t very interested in talking about it.
No Flyer has ever won an NHL scoring title, meaning the questions will only intensify if Voracek’s still in the hunt near season’s end.
Giroux, who will be making his third appearance, is fourth in the league in points with 46 (14 G, 32 A). He also spoke after the game about what it would mean for him to selected.
“If I do make it, obviously, it’s a fun event,” the Flyers captain said. “The NHL always does a good job for the fans and us, the players. So, if I do have a chance, it’s pretty exciting.”
And if his linemate was to join him?
“I hope Jake doesn’t make it,” Giroux joked.
Cherry Hill native Bobby Ryan, in his second season with the Ottawa Senators after spending five years in Anaheim, was also named an all star. Like Voracek, it was the first such honor for the 27-year-old from South Jersey.
Here’s a look at all the players selected:
Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers
Zemgus Girgensons, Buffalo Sabres
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets
Ryan Johansen, Columbus Blue Jackets
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning
Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
Patrik Elias, New Jersey Devils
Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers
Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
John Tavares, New York Islanders
Radim Vrbata, Vancouver Canucks
Rick Nash, New York Rangers
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks
Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames
Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild
Erik Johnson, Colorado Avalanche
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes
Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets
Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes
Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets
Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers
The NHL All-Star game will take place on Sunday, January 25, in Columbus, Ohio.
