Hockey world converging on Los Angeles
Skills competition goes today; 3-on-3 tournament being held on Sunday
LOS ANGELES — Sidney Crosby only took a few steps into the lobby of his downtown Los Angeles hotel Friday before he was besieged by a bevy of sprinting fans. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain signed what he could and slipped away.
From Crosby and Mario Lemieux to the sneakiest autograph hounds, every part of the hockey world has converged on Hollywood for a weekend of sun, fun and celebration.
Before the game’s best current players face off at Staples Center in the NHL AllStar Game on Sunday, the 100 top players in hockey history are being honoured as part of “The NHL 100” during the league’s centennial.
“The game is in better shape today than it’s ever been,” said Wayne Gretzky, who called Crosby the best player in the current game.
“These players, from Auston Matthews to Connor McDavid, they’re just tremendous players. Everybody has a hand in it, and we all feel very privileged that we’re a part of the National Hockey League.”
One of the NHL’s most fundamental recent changes will be front-and-centre Sunday: The 3-on-3 format that has been adopted for regular-season overtimes is back for the all-star game, which became a four-division tournament of high-scoring hockey last year.
“It’s a lot of fun, but it’s a little tiring for a defenceman,” said Drew Doughty, the Kings’ all-star defenceman and Norris Trophy winner. “That’s the way it is in the regular season, too. I can’t even imagine being a goalie in that.”
After a celebrity game today, the skills competition will include the usual festivities, such as events determining the hardest shot and the fastest skater. The NHL has added a Four Line Challenge in which the stars will take increasingly difficult shots from increasingly far away.
The all-stars haven’t visited LA since 2002, and celebrities will be everywhere: The league recruited nearly anyone in Hollywood with a Canadian passport or any level of hockey fandom to turn out, starting with longtime St. Louis Blues fan Jon Hamm hosting the NHL 100 celebration. The presenters at that ceremony include a trio of Canadian luminaries: Michael J. Fox, Keanu Reeves and Alex Trebek.
Kelowna’s Taylor Kitsch, Robin Thicke, Tim Robbins and David Boreanaz are playing in the celebrity game.
On Sunday, Nick Jonas, British Columbia’s Carly Rae Jepsen and Fifth Harmony all will perform at the all-star game.