- Daniel Alfredsson (photo by Dianne Rodger)
While I live in Ottawa, I believe that it is important to start this week’s column by pointing out that I am not a Senators fan. It is a great organization and I do enjoy following the Senators because I know a few of their current and former players, but for most of my life, I have not had a ‘favourite’ team. I am a hockey fan first and find a Nashville – Anaheim game just as interesting to watch as an Ottawa – Toronto match-up. So, having said that, I’d like to address the so-called controversy surrounding the recent announcement that four Ottawa Senators were voted into the starting lineup of this year’s NHL All-Star game.
For hockey fans not in the Ottawa area, it may have been a surprise to see Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek voted into the All-Star game, but it is a reflection of how excited the city is about this game. It also shows how loved the Senators are in this city and that the fans appreciate the effort the team has put forth on the ice this season. Raise your hand if you predicted the Senators would be in a playoff position after 42 games…
Let’s take a look at Ottawa’s All-Stars:
Erik Karlsson is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic offensive-defensemen in the NHL. His ability to make clean, crisp passes out of his own zone and his end-to-end rushes has not gone unnoticed by hockey fans around the league. Heading into Saturday’s games, his 37 points ranks first amongst NHL defensemen and his 32 assists is second overall in the NHL behind Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin. Whether he is voted in or not, Karlsson will be an All-Star for years to come.
For several seasons, Jason Spezza was the target of the boo-birds in Ottawa for his occasional giveaways at the offensive blue line. There has never been any doubt about his talent though and his ability to make incredible (but sometimes risky) passes. In the past two seasons, Spezza has stepped up as a leader on and off the ice in Ottawa and he leads the team in scoring with 41 points (13th overall in the league). With his performance this season, there is a very real possibility that he would have been named to the All-Star team regardless of the outcome of the voting process. Perhaps the abundance of votes from Ottawa fans is their way of saying, “Sorry for the booing Jason.”
The biggest surprise of the four Sens voted in last week was Milan Michalek. Ottawa fans stepped up and voted as often as possible in the final 48 hours and Michalek overtook Toronto’s Phil Kessel in vote totals. Michalek has overcome a few difficult seasons due to several injuries and he is becoming the player many expected him to be as the key component sent to Ottawa in the Dany Heatley trade with San Jose. He probably would not have been named to the All-Star team if the fans had not voted him in, but let’s not forget – before he missed several games due to a concussion, he was at the top of the league in goals scored and he is well on his way to having a career year.
This brings us to Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson. To say that ‘Alfie’ is the heart and soul of his team is an understatement. He is not only the leader on the ice and in the dressing room, he is a tremendous leader in the community. When the All-Star game returns to Ottawa in 15 or 20 years, there is no doubt that his #11 will be hanging from the rafters of Scotiabank Place. Does he deserve an All-Star invite? In my opinion, yes he does. How many 39-year olds in the NHL are averaging almost a point a game this season? Alfredsson has 31 points in 35 games this year and 1,054 points in 1,091 career games. While career statistics don’t actually factor in to an All-Star invite, the abundance of votes cast by Ottawa fans was simply their way of saying thank you to their captain.
As for the ‘controversy’ of Ottawa fans voting in their own players – every NHL fan in every NHL city had the same opportunity to vote for their stars. Celebrating the organization’s 20th anniversary and hosting the event for the first time, Ottawa hockey fans stepped up – what’s wrong with that? I’m sure the fans in Calgary, Toronto or any other NHL city with passionate fans would do the same. Many of the complaints I read online started with, “I never watch the All-Star game, but…”
While some fans are upset about the voting, let’s remember what we are talking about here. The All-Star game is a fun-filled weekend for the league and their business partners, the fans and the players. Two points are not up for grabs and the winning team does not secure an advantage in the Stanley Cup Final, as is the case in Major League Baseball. Let’s just sit back and enjoy the game for what it is – a fun-filled exhibition game.
Andrew Rodger
Andrew Rodger is the resident writer for the NHL Alumni Association (www.nhlalumni.net), operates his own website (The Voice of Sport.com) and he is a contributor on CBC News Now. You can also follow him on Twitter (@ARodgerTVOS). He shares his thoughts from inside the NHL Alumni Association and from around today’s NHL every Wednesday here at blog.xhockeyproducts.com.
