Flyers' Giroux, Voracek named NHL All-Stars

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:

FORWARDS:

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

DEFENSE:

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

GOALIES:

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.