St. Louis Blues forward Keith Tkachuk elected to All-Star game
Keith Tkachuk will be the lone Blues’ player at the 57th NHL All-Star game Jan. 25 in Montreal. Tkachuk, who has 14 goals and 27 points in 39 games, got the news Wednesday that he’ll be in the Western Conference lineup.
“I’m very excited,” Tkachuk said. ”It was a surpise. Anytime you represent your team, especially in Montreal, it’s going to be fun and obviously it’s going to be a great atmosphere. My family and I are going to enjoy it big-time. My kids are at the age when they’re more excited to meet their heroes . . . they like to see these guys more than they do their dad.”
This will be his fifth NHL All-Star game but first since 2004. He was in the All-Star game in ‘97, ‘98, ‘99 and ‘04 previously.
“I’ve been there before and had a lot of fun doing it,” Tkachuk said. ”But you want to get a chance to play with the best. It’s going to be nice to be on the same ice as (Sidney) Crosby and (Alexander) Ovechkin.”
Manny Legace had the line of the day when asked about Tkachuk’s selection . . .
“I think they have a grandpa clause, so he’s got to go,” Legace quipped.
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Brad Boyes, who leads the Blues with 18 goals and 34 points, was not named not to the All-Star lineup. This is the second straight year that Boyes put himself into consideration, but did not get elected.
“It would be cool to go and do that, but at the same time, it’s a time to get a break and do some other things,” Boyes said. “It would have been cool. I’d love to go . . . you never know, there’s injuries or something and you get in there. Guys can feel like they’re deserving, but there’s so many playerse in the league that definitely deserve to go.”
Blues coach Andy Murray said: “Brad’s challenge every day is to stay consistent. Walt’s had a pretty consistent career and I think he’s being rewarded for that. I think Brad needs to show he can do that as well. I would have picked Brad for the All-Star game, but I’m a little biased.”
JR

