All-Star spotlight for women’s hockey

Women’s hockey players will play a larger role at this year’s NHL All-Star Game.

American and Canadian players will face off in their own three-on-three game in St. Louis on Friday, January 24. Hockey Hall of Famer Cammi Granato will coach the American squad, while fellow Hall of Famer Jayna Hefford will coach the Canadian side.

“The intention here is to give these elite players the forum they’ve earned and they deserve. It’s thrilling for us to be able to give them this moment,” said Steve Mayer, NHL chief content officer and executive vice president, events and entertainment. “This is a meaningful event — it’s on national television, not only are they going to be performing and playing in front of 20,000 people in the arena, but they are also playing in front of 40 of the greatest players in the NHL. We’re so confident that they will put on a great display.”

Both rosters are filled exclusively with Olympic players, and there are none from the National Women’s Hockey League. Alex Carpenter, of North Reading, and Kacey Bellamy, of Westfield, are the only New England natives.

Rosters, which are compiled by nine skaters each with a goalie, were made with consultation from Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Angela Ruggiero and Hayley Wickenheiser.

The game will be officiated by Kelly Cooke and Katie Guay, and linesmen Kendall Hanley and Kirsten Welsh, who all officiated during NHL rookie camps this fall.

One American and one Canadian each will take part during the NHL skills contest dubbed Gatorade NHL Shooting Stars, where fans can vote through Twitter on the American side for Bellamy, Decker, Knight or Lamoureux-Davidson, and for the Canadians either

Poulin, Johnston, Nurse or Spooner.

Last year, Coyne-Scofield skated alongside the men for the fastest skater competition, while Decker demonstrated for the passing competition, where her time would have beat the NHLers if it had counted.

“Having the women in the mix at All-Star weekend just feels right,” said Mayer. “It’s what we want to do, it’s what we want to continue to do, and this is going to be some showcase.”

The NHL will donate $100,000 representing the American and Canadian All-Stars to related charitable organizations.